Palena and its nature
Surrounded by vast pastures and beech forests, Palena is nestled between the river Aventine and the a wall formed by Mount Porrara (2137 m), from Guado di Coccia (1674m) to Monte Amaro (2,793 m), the highest point of the of the Majella, the mountain "mother", with an excursion elevation ranging from about 600 to 2600 meters above sea level.
The biodiversity present on this territory is a treasure of unmeasurable value: here lives the wolf, a wide variety of amphibians, as well as a bat fauna which boasts 18 different species. Often it is also reported the fleeting presence of the brown bear. The plant biodiversity, more than 2,000 plant species surveyed, representing about a third of the Italian flora, of which Mediterranean, Alpine, Balkan, Pontic, Illyrian, Pyrenees and Arctic elements are found. The beech forest characterizes the natural landscape dominant up to 1700-1800 meters at which point Yew, Holly, Rowan, Maple, Oak, hornbeam, flowering ash, and several fruit species are found. The valuable flora, alternating with vast forests and nature is expressed in its highest potential.
To the north west of the town begins the "Natural Reserve of Quarto di S. Chiara": a property silvopastoral, covered with forests and meadows, crossed by the hole Vera which constitutes the peculiarity of this area declared biotype of " significant vegetation interest and worthy of conservation in Italy”. The hole Vera acts as a collector into the sinkhole of the Quarto di S. Chiara, but with the increase in the mass of water due to the rain and the snow melts, it causes temporary flooding of the area of grassland generating a large lake spring, whose waters, channeled into the sinkhole, feed the source of the Aventine in the area Capo di fiume.
The Aventine river, which originates in the area called Capo di Fiume, through the town of Palena, creating beautiful waterfalls and small pools of water: a purpose built path allows you to walk along the river, following the flow of water to the communal villa where a bridge joining the two banks of the river, leads towards the town center.
Palena and its nature are a unique blend, cool pine forests dotted around the town while a new Wildlife Area, located in the area of Colleveduta, is preparing to host examples of the Brown Bear that can't live in freedom.
The nature embraces and envelops you, your senses are stimulated by smells, colors, sounds, touch perceives the roughness of the rock, the roughness of the bark, the freshness of the water, everything invites you to enjoy the freedom that only an impressive vast landscape and can give. To live Palena is to renew your spirit.
Surrounded by vast pastures and beech forests, Palena is nestled between the river Aventine and the a wall formed by Mount Porrara (2137 m), from Guado di Coccia (1674m) to Monte Amaro (2,793 m), the highest point of the of the Majella, the mountain "mother", with an excursion elevation ranging from about 600 to 2600 meters above sea level.
The biodiversity present on this territory is a treasure of unmeasurable value: here lives the wolf, a wide variety of amphibians, as well as a bat fauna which boasts 18 different species. Often it is also reported the fleeting presence of the brown bear. The plant biodiversity, more than 2,000 plant species surveyed, representing about a third of the Italian flora, of which Mediterranean, Alpine, Balkan, Pontic, Illyrian, Pyrenees and Arctic elements are found. The beech forest characterizes the natural landscape dominant up to 1700-1800 meters at which point Yew, Holly, Rowan, Maple, Oak, hornbeam, flowering ash, and several fruit species are found. The valuable flora, alternating with vast forests and nature is expressed in its highest potential.
To the north west of the town begins the "Natural Reserve of Quarto di S. Chiara": a property silvopastoral, covered with forests and meadows, crossed by the hole Vera which constitutes the peculiarity of this area declared biotype of " significant vegetation interest and worthy of conservation in Italy”. The hole Vera acts as a collector into the sinkhole of the Quarto di S. Chiara, but with the increase in the mass of water due to the rain and the snow melts, it causes temporary flooding of the area of grassland generating a large lake spring, whose waters, channeled into the sinkhole, feed the source of the Aventine in the area Capo di fiume.
The Aventine river, which originates in the area called Capo di Fiume, through the town of Palena, creating beautiful waterfalls and small pools of water: a purpose built path allows you to walk along the river, following the flow of water to the communal villa where a bridge joining the two banks of the river, leads towards the town center.
Palena and its nature are a unique blend, cool pine forests dotted around the town while a new Wildlife Area, located in the area of Colleveduta, is preparing to host examples of the Brown Bear that can't live in freedom.
The nature embraces and envelops you, your senses are stimulated by smells, colors, sounds, touch perceives the roughness of the rock, the roughness of the bark, the freshness of the water, everything invites you to enjoy the freedom that only an impressive vast landscape and can give. To live Palena is to renew your spirit.