The torrazzuolo
Nearing Nonantola or from the centre of the town it is possible to see the signs that guide towards the area of reforestation know as “Torrazzuolo” which can be reached from different directions.
Of the approximately 70 hectares of protected land, 33 are occupied by wetlands, generated from natural, spontaneouse swamps and enriched by Woods growing in flatlands, tree-lined enclosures, between the ditch to the right of the Fossa Bosca and the ditch to the left of the Canale Torbido, on the area of the Partecipanza Agraria Nonantolana, called Valle di Sotto, which includes a lake of 7,5 hectares.
Since 1984, an animal oasis of grat natural interest has been administered by the LIPU of Modena.
Starting from 1991 the typical plants of the Medieval wood have been bedded: over 10.000 oaks, once extremely important because the acorns were fed to pigs which lived in a natural state; 9.502 ash trees, 8143 maple trees, 3158 wild cherry trees, 2435 willows, 2127 White poplars, 1513 hornbeams, 1445 black poplars and 200 alders, and a long hedge that follows via Due Torrioni.
This natural environment has encouraged the return of many animal species, especially birds, which, according to a census, taken about ten years ago, amounted to 172 different species: the garganey ducks (anas querquedula), the teal, the common wild duck, the dirds of the ardeidae family such as the purple heron, the great White egret and the black-crowned heron, the limicolous species such as the buzzard, the kestrel, the hen harrier, the marsh harrier, and then the little grede, the kingfischer, the water rail and Others like pheasants, sparrows, crows, swallows, thrusches, robins redbreast, pigeons, partridges, golfinches, falcons, wild, ducks, heron and diving dird.
The natural reserve has been furnisched with two sheds for bird watching, a station for ringing birds, working for the Istituto Nazionale Fauna Selvatica, while the volunteers of the LIPU, besides taking care of the maintenance of the area, are available for visitors, leading them in guided excursions or along itineraries that illustrate the importance of environmental education.
The reserve/oasis is open for visits every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, with free entrance to the observation shacks, while on other days booking is required.
Buses are allowed to park near the reserve, in a place called Ponte Sant’Anselmo, and visitors can stop for picnics in the nearby courtyard of the Casa della Prtecipanza (contact the Centro Educazione Ambientale del Comune di Nonantola)
Partecipanza Agraria di Nonantola
Via Roma, 21 – Nonantola (Mo)
Orari: giovedì e sabato ore 9.30-12.30.
Ingresso: gratuito.
Telefono: 059 549 046
La mostra permanente, l’archivio e l’acetaia sono visitabili previo appuntamento contattando il numero 059/549046 oppure la mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
