Campo Imperatore
Campo Imperatore is a basin- shaped plateau in the massif of the Gran Sasso in the province of L' Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. The plateau was formed by a glacier and is located near the located on the north side of the Corno Grande Calderone Glacier, the southernmost glacier in Europe. Campo Imperatore has a length of approximately 15 km and a width of about 5 km and is part of the National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga. The plateau is surrounded by the mountains under other Prena Monte, Monte Aquila, Camicia and Monte Scindarella all. Having a height of about 2,200 m
The height of the Campo Imperatore varies 1500-1900 m and covers an area of about 80 km ².
On the Campo Imperatore is one of the oldest ski resorts in Italy, which commenced operations in the 1920s. Because of its proximity to Rome, it has remained a popular winter sports resort today.
In August and September 1943, Benito Mussolini was on the Campo Imperatore held captive in the same hotel and freed by a commando raid of a German unit ( company oak).
There are the medieval hilltop villages of Castel del Monte, Calascio and Santo Stefano di Sessanio whose ruler the Medicis were once on the southeastern edge of the Campo Imperatore. In spring, summer and autumn are held by shepherds from these villages in the meadows of the plateau ungepfercht horses, cows and sheep. The pastures are covered at this time with field grasses and wildflowers.
On the Campo Imperatore is a established in 1952 Botanical Garden, the cultivation and study of approximately 300 native mountain plants dedicated to. Among these plants are the rare and endangered bog bilberry, yellow gentian, edelweiss and Adonis.
Campo Imperatore is habitat for the Italian Wolf, chamois and wild cat. The Abruzzengämsen seemed to be almost extinct, but the population rebounded through intensive cooperation between the Italian WWF and the management of the National Park. Other species that inhabit the plateau, are wild boar, fox, grass snake and a variety of birds such as the golden eagle and hawk.
A branch of the Observatory of Rome, the Campo Imperatore station, was founded in 1952. The height and the absence of artificial light was used. The station has since 1997 on the reflecting telescope AZT -24 1.1 m diameter. Here also the project CINEOS (Campo Imperatore Near- Earth Object Survey) is operated.
On the Campo Imperatore scenes of about 20 international movies were filmed, such as for four fists for one hallelujah, Keoma, The Name of the Rose, Ladyhawke and night sun.