Italy is one of the most attractive countries for tourists. The picturesque nature is combined here with a huge number of cultural monuments from different eras.
Beech groves
The modern nature of Italy is predominantly man-made. Despite this, the remains of ancient beech groves have been preserved here, which today are part of the UNESCO natural heritage. One of them is located in the natural nature reserve Sasso Frantino... The trees growing here are over 500 years old. The oldest beech trees, not only in Italy, but throughout the entire northern hemisphere, grow in the Val Cervara grove, rising above sea level at 1600-1850 m.
The largest territory is occupied by a century-old grove in nature reserve Val Fondillo... This is an unusually beautiful area, where stately trees coexist with valleys, through which many streams flow. Due to the high humidity, rare and unique species of animals live here, for example, the Apennine fire salamander.
National parks
Italy has many national parks that invariably attract the attention of tourists. There is a park in one of the mountainous regions of the country Gran Paradiso... Mountain systems are adjacent to glacial valleys here, and spruce and larch trees grow on the slopes.
The most extensive area in Italy where you can meet the wild alpine nature is the national Val Grande park. Climbing to the peaks Monte Rosa Massif, you can admire picturesque views and observe the life of animals living in dense thickets of the forest.
Monuments of ancient culture
Traveling in Italy allows you to travel back to the era of the highest flowering of world culture and art. Of particular interest among tourists are the numerous monuments of antiquity that have survived since the Ancient Rome.
The majestic Pantheon, crowned with a huge concrete dome, in ancient times was dedicated to the seven main Roman gods. In addition, it contained Julius Caesar statue, revered on a par with the gods. Later, the Pantheon turned into a Catholic church, and prominent citizens of Rome began to be buried on its territory, one of which is the great Raphael.
The ancient Roman Colosseum today is a majestic ruin, and during the times of the Roman Empire true passions were seething here, because bloody gladiatorial battles took place on its arena.
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Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli is a unique monument of ancient culture. Hadrian is the only Roman emperor for whom art was much more important than military victories. A big fan of Greek culture, he turned his country villa into a real museum, on the territory of which a marble copy of the famous "Discobola"... Currently, the buildings located on the territory of the imperial villa are almost completely destroyed, but even in this form, it attracts the admiring glances of numerous visitors.
Connoisseurs of the beauty of nature will enjoy strolling through the majestic groves and picturesque parks of Italy, and those who love art will be able to meet its revived history.
