Parco Naturale Regionale dell'Antola

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The protected area of the Antola has been divided into three areas according to the regulations of the Park Plan:

• ZONE B or "riserva generale orientata"
• ZONE C or "area di protezione"
• ZONE D or "area di sviluppo"

and in adjacent areas which are functionally linked to the Park area.

Zone B or "riserva generale orientata"

The Park Plan considers the ZONE B the most interesting area of the Park, that is the area of Rocche del Reopasso.

• Rocche del Reopasso
  The Rocche, consisting of large Savignone conglomerate outcrops, date back to the Oligocene period and house a particularly interesting flora and fauna. They represent one of the favorite destinations for hiking and mountain climbing.
  The area lies in Oasi del Reopasso (1,221 hectares), which is of particular interest for the protection of the avifauna: for the first time, the nesting of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker has been ascertained; moreover, another fifty species - almost all nesting species - have been sighted. Among the others, the Short-toad Eagle and the Honey Buzzard.

ZONE C or "area di protezione"

The ZONES C or "aree di protezione" involve a great area of the Park and they are characterized by the presence of naturalistic and environmental features of great value linked to particular cultivations, agricultural productions, and models of settlement. The aim of these areas is to maintain rural landscapes of great interest through active safeguard measures.
In Montebruno, one of the Municipalities of Val Trebbia in ZONE C, there is "Museo della Cultura Contadina", with the Sanctuary attached. The Museum is articulated into different sections illustrating the hard work of the population who shaped in the past the rural landscape of these valleys. The Sanctuary of Montebruno is of particular interest.

• Montebruno Sanctuary
  The Sanctuary, whose adjacent Convent is one of the most interesting parts of the monumental complex, was built in 1486 by the Augustinian monks to remember the 1478 miraculous apparition of the Madonna to a young mute shepherd. The population found in this place a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary on a beech tree; nowadays the statue has been placed on the High Altar; the interior is Gothic, while the ornaments and the decorations are of Baroque style; there are valuable frescoes and paintings, and a precious wooden Crucifix dating back to the 17th century.

In Busalla, one of the Municipalities of Valle Scrivia whose territory is partially in ZONE C, there is a Sanctuary which is worth a visit:

• N.S. della Bastia Sanctuary
  The Sanctuary, deriving from the expansion of a pre-existing country chapel, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is linked to the finding of a small statue of the Virgin at the half of the 17th century. Nowadays the statue has been placed in a fissure of the rocky rampart.
  Near the Sanctuary it is possible to observe the point of contact between the marly limestones of the Antola and the Savignone conglomerate.

ZONE D or "area di sviluppo"

The ZONE D or "aree di sviluppo" are particularly important areas for the Park. They have considerable naturalistic aspects to safeguard and are characterized by the presence of structures housing useful activities and services for the enjoyment of the Park and for the economic development of the whole area. Among them:

• The Summit of Monte Reale
  In Monte Reale (920 m) there was an ancient Castle which has now disappeared; on the summit of the mountain a small Church dedicated to Madonna di Loreto was built in 1858 together with a mountain hut. It is one of the most visited mountains of Valle Scrivia by the hikers; as a matter of fact, from Reale it is possible to enjoy a wonderful view of the Alps!

• Castello della Pietra
  Going along Val Vobbia, after a few kilometers from the highway exit of Isola del Cantone, you will find Castello della Pietra.
  Looking at the castle from the bottom of the valley, you can see that it is situated in a strategic position, since the rocky towers (puddingstone, Savignone Conglomerate) between which it lies make it an impregnable fortress.
  It was built around the year 1000 by the Bishops of Tortona, probably against the Saracens, to watch over the road linking Vobbia to Isola del Cantone, therefore Via del Sale to Via Postumia in Valle Scrivia.
  The town of Vobbia was born as a trading center along the Road of the Imperial Feuds (Via del Sale) linking Genua to the towns of the Po Plain.
  Subsequently, the Castle passed to Marquis Gavi in 1050, and then to Malaspina Family and in 1252 it became property of Opizzone della Pietra, whose name derives from the purchase of this feud. Opizzone was also the one and only feudal lord to live in it, since the castle was usually inhabited by privileged families in the lord's employ.
  The Castle belonged to Opizzone's descendants until 1565, and afterwards to Botta Adorno until 1797 (year of the abolition of the Imperial Feuds of Liguria). It was set on fire by the Napoleonic troops and its five cannons were melt to build the bells of the church in Crocefieschi.
  In 1882 it passed from Botta Adorno's descendants to Cusani Visconti who in 1919, ignoring an ancient prohibition, gave the castle to Beroldo family. In 1979, Beroldo gave the Castle to the Municipality of Vobbia.
  At the end of the 70s the Province of Genova, in collaboration with the Municipality of Vobbia, Centro Studi Storici per l'Alta Valle Scrivia e località viciniori, Soprintendenza ai Beni Archeologici della Liguria and some volunteers, began a restoration plan lasting ten years, thanks to which today it is possible to visit the castle.
  
  The visit to the Castle can be divided into five sections:

1.  
   1. Trapezoid Projecting Part: it protected the main body and was probably used as storehouse or prison
   2. Centeral Hall: here the social life of the castle used to take place; three openings offer a breathtaking view over Val Vobbia
   3. Patrol Trench
   4. Upper Hall: one and only indoor hall of the Castle where you can see the upper part of the vaulted ceiling of the Central Hall
   5. Access to the Main Tower

How to get there:
By CAR: highway A7 Milano - Genova, exit Isola del Cantone, direction Vobbia
You can take two routes to get to Castello della Pietra: the trail leaving from the SP road linking Isola del Cantone to Vobbia, for about 20 minutes; or Sentiero dei Castellani leaving from loc. Torre di Vobbia (walking time: about 2 hours).

Entrance Fee and Opening Times:

Opening Times from April to October
Saturday	from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Sunday and holidays	from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Visiting Times	10.30 a.m. 11.30 a.m. 12.30 p.m. 1.30 p.m. 2.30 p.m. 3.30 p.m. 4.30 p.m. 5.30 p.m. 6.00 p.m.* *only in August
Opening on demand from March to December
By previous booking	for groups (at least 25 persons) and school groups

 

Entrance fee
The entrance fee includes the entrance to the structure and the guide service.
- Full ticket: 4.00 Euros
- Reduced ticket: 3.50 Euros (groups of at least 20 persons/children from 6 to 12 years of age)
- Family ticket: 10.00 Euros
- Access to the tower: 1.00 Euro
Free entrance: persons leading school groups during the visit (max. 2 per class); children under 6 years of age; tourist guides and interpreters.

• The Ecomuseum of Valbrevenna
  Valbrevenna preserves uncontaminated natural environments together with evidences of the Valigiana culture which must be safeguarded (ancient mule tracks, bridges, rural architectures...).
  For these reasons, the idea of the ecomuseum was born: thanks to it, the territory can be enjoyed through thematic itineraries describing the characteristic aspects of the rural culture of this valley. The suggested itineraries deal with four main issues:
  - rural architecture: lime production and building techniques
  - chestnut civilization: from diet to carpentry
  - the so-called "fasce": the traditional dry-stone walls built by the masters of the past
  - the stable: exploitation of community pastures, hay making, milking, breeding, cheese production…

The River Aquarium of Antola
An interesting journey among the rich and often unknown ecosystems of the aquatic environments and their fragile and uncertain balance, with information on the geological formations present in the area and the role of water as main factor of the transformation of the territory and shaping of the landscape.
The aquarium, prepared in Azienda Agricola AUTRA in location Olmi (Savignone), houses the main fish species living in the watercourses of Scrivia and Trebbia Valleys, as well as the macroinvertebrates and the aquatic plants characterizing their ideal habitats.
At the moment, five pools are ready and five more will be completed soon.

• The Aquarium for the School:
  The structure, created above all for educational purposes, can represent the departure point for thorough studies and practical experiences dedicated to schools. The Experience Center of Parco Antola suggests, starting from the visit to the Aquarium and the discovery of various river and lake habitats, meetings and exits dedicated to the analysis of the water quality and the application of the Extended Biotic Index thanks to samples taken from freshwater.

The aquarium can be visited by previous appointment contacting:
- Ente Parco Antola: Tel. 010/944175 - E-mail: info@parcoantola.it
- Azienda Agricola Autra: Tel. 340/5278201
- Società Pescatori Alta Valle Scrivia: Tel. 349/7890407 - E-mail: spavs.busalla@libero.it

Admittance free.
For guided visits of organized groups, please contact the Experience Center of Parco Antola: Tel. 010/944175 - E-mail: ceantola@parcoantola.it

• Summit of Mt. Antola and Mountain hut
  The name of Mt. Antola (1,597m) probably derives from the Greek "anthos" which means "flower". There are several rare and protected species in Liguria, like lilies, gentian, orchids, buttercups… and many aromatic and medicinal species like the arnica. You can also admire beautiful butterflies and enjoy wonderful views by going along the several itineraries leading from the Borbera, Scrivia, and Trebbia valleys to this orographic junction.

• Brugneto Lake
  Following the panoramic ridges of Trebbia upper valley, you get to the basin of Brugneto Lake, which offers a spectacular scenario. It is an artificial basin resulting from the building of a dam, and containing maximum 25 million cubic meters of water which submerged in the past the ancient towns of Casoni and Frinti, and which represent the main water reserve of the town of Genova.
  Naturalistic aspects - woodlands alternating with meadows and cultivated areas - and architectural aspects - among which ancient mills and stone bridges - are the main interesting things along the panoramic ring-route bordering the lake and mainly developing along ancient mule tracks.

• Astronomic Observatory - Casa del Romano
  In location Casa del Romano (Municipality of Fascia), an Astronomic Observatory will be dedicated both to astronomical observations by astrophysicists associations and astronomers and to educational activities dedicated to groups of students and visitors, and to research activities. The choice of the place depends on the fact that Val Trebbia is one of the Italian places with less light pollution, and particular attention will be paid to the safeguard of the environment and energetic saving. Therefore, the presence of elements disturbing the natural ecological balance will be avoided.

Adjacent Areas Functionally Linked to the Park Area

The adjacent areas, even if they are not situated within the protected area, are territories which are functionally linked to it; among the characteristic towns of these areas there are:

• The Town of Pentema
  During the months of December and January, the atmosphere of the Nativity of Christ revives in a picturesque setting among the cobbled paths, the alleys, the arches, and the interiors of the historical town center of Pentema (see www.comune.torriglia.ge.it/pentema.asp). The Crib involves the whole village with a reconstruction of the aspects of past everyday life, places, and trades of the 19th century.
  This representation aims at bringing out the popular religious tradition and evoking the values of simplicity and authenticity characterizing the life of the inhabitants of Pentema in the last century.
  It is possible to visit the crib from mid-December to the end of January, on Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (from the 24th December to the 6th January, every day).

The Village of Senarega

• Senarega (711m above sea-level), in Brevenna upper valley, is one of the most important medieval villages in the Park on the slopes of Mt. Antola; it is interesting from a historical and architectural point of view:
  - the medieval Senarega-Fieschi Castle, consisting of a square tower dating back to the 12th century and of the attached palace;
  - the Parish Church of N.S. Assunta (13th century) and the Parsonage;
  - the Oratory (17th century) and the Chapel of N.S. delle Grazie (17th century), next to the ancient stone bridge over Rio dell'Orso;
  - the characteristic rural buildings;
  - the farming museum.
  
  
• Chiappa (890m above sea-level), in a wonderful panoramic position over Val Brevenna, is a charming rural town about 2 km far from Senarega; it is surrounded by mixed woodlands of broadleaf trees, it preserves the typical aspect of a small agricultural center with stone-paved roads; by going along these roads, it is possible to observe the typical houses of Chiappa, some of which are characterized by roofs in "ciàppe", typical of the area, from which the place name derives.