Euganean Hills

The Euganean Hills (it. Euganean Hills ) are a chain of hills of volcanic origin, surrounded by the Po Valley, a few kilometers south-west of Padua in northern Italy rise. In 1989 she was appointed as the first natural park of the Veneto Region ( Regional Park of the Euganean Hills with an area of ​​18,694 hectares).

The entire ridge has an average length of about 15 and a width of about 12 kilometers. The highest point is Monte Venda with 601 m.

The name of the hills is borrowed from the semi - mythical people of Euganeans said to have inhabited the area before the Veneti. The area is known today to make significant spas mainly for its geothermal activity, the Abano Terme, Abano Terme and Terme Galzignano.

Geology

The geologically older rock formations on the edge of the Euganean hills are sedimentary rocks made ​​of limestone slurry with fossil remains of marine animals. The oldest rocks red ammonite from the Cretaceous period are approximately 130 million years old, followed by white chalk (about 100 million to 90 million years old ) and red marl (around 50 million years old ).

The characteristic cone forms in which the Euganean hills present themselves today, are geologically younger; they incurred as a result of undersea volcanic eruptions in the Eocene, which leaked basaltic lava. In the Oligocene was followed by further withdrawals of viscous lava that eventually led to the deposition of the characteristic trachyte, rhyolite and latite - rock. Geologists suspect that the highest elevations even then jutted out as a volcanic archipelago on the sea surface.

Flora

The flora of the hills surprised by a great diversity of species. The various floors, the unique morphology of the increases that different microclimates related, geographical isolation from other mountain ranges and the alternating climatic conditions since their formation (see Ice Age ), the Euganean Hills made ​​to a complex natural landscape, in the confined space both arid and montane and submontane vegetation types together.

On the rocky volcanic hills grows in dry, exposed to the wind layers over a large area evergreen scrub. Preferably in the north to humid humus-rich soils, however, extend strong chestnut forests with a variety of spring flowers such as snowdrops, anemones and daffodils. On the drier soils on the south side there is sparse oak forests with an undergrowth of hawthorn, juniper, privet and Erika. The resulting cleared areas on dry meadows that have been abandoned for agriculture and animal husbandry should be returned from the Regional Park Authority of nature. In part, the scrub has spread here again, in the thicket again endemic Rutaceae ( Haplophyllum patavinum ) and various species of orchids have settled.

The imported from America in the 17th century as an ornamental tree locust has become more spread out than intended; the Regional Park Authority intends to reduce them, as they take away the natural vegetation forms square and only a monotonous undergrowth of elderberry and blackberry raises.

Fauna

Larger mammals are no longer found on the hills since ancient times. More recently illegally wild boars were released, which multiply and now also cause damage to agriculture.

Small insectivores such as hedgehogs, moles and shrew, rodents such as dormice and hazel dormouse and carnivores such as badgers, stone martens and weasels are regularly seen throughout nature park. Various species of lizards living on the sunny and warm dry rocks while (eg the Yellow Green Whip Snake and Aesculapian ) occur as well as grass snakes and slow worms in the remote forest and Macchiagebieten for Mediterranean areas typical non-toxic snakes. In the humid forests of small pools live newts, frogs and toads, including the spread of standing water yellow-bellied; Springs and small streams are habitat of the spotted salamander.

Among the more than 100 species of birds are found as overwintering Woodcock and Fieldfare in the forest areas; appear only in the summer months Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Cuckoo, Red-backed Shrike and Long-tailed Tit. Finches and goldfinches there all year.

In an open meadow area can be found throughout the year various Lerch species and in the summer in addition to the nightjar.

The most common diurnal bird of prey is the buzzard; also kestrel, sparrowhawk and the rare Eurasian Hobby occur. Among the various nocturnal owl species have been identified in the Regional Park.

Infrastructure

A network of some extremely narrow, steep and winding roads connecting the various districts of municipalities with each other across the hills. Also, individual peaks ( for example, Monte Rua and Monte della Madonna) can be approached by car. The access road to disused military installations and transmission facilities at Monte Venda is closed to the public.

In addition to this road network runs through a broad scale of the Regional Park trail system administration the hill. Some of the main attractions among cultural goods can only be reached on foot or by bicycle.

16 designated hiking trails of various difficulty levels are from 1.5 to 21 km long, on average, about 5 km. At 40.6 km stretch of the long-distance hiking Alta Via dei Euganean Hills leads over the hill crests. Tourist hiking season are spring and autumn. The summer is too hot, and in winter can be icy at altitudes roads and paths.

Cultural Heritage

One of the main cultural attractions of the Euganean Hills include:

  • Praglia Abbey: Benedictine approximately 6 km west of Abano Terme with Renaissance monastery church and cloister;
  • Casa di Petrarca: Former Residence of Francesco Petrarca Petrarch in Arquà with museum and gardens;
  • Villa Barbarigo: Country house and garden of a Baroque Venetian procurators Gates family in Valzanzibio, part of Galzignano Terme;
  • Castello Cataio at Battaglia Terme; fortified residence of the Venetian Condottiere Pio Enea degli Olbizzi ( 1570);
  • Various Renaissance and Baroque villas with gardens from the 16th and 17th centuries in all the churches of the Euganean Hills; partially decayed, partially restored and privately owned
  • Monastero degli Olivetani: Ruins of a Romanesque hermitage (later Benedictine ) below Monte Venda
  • Monte della Madonna: Romanesque St. Mary's hermitage, belonging to the Benedictine Abbey of Praglia 1508; restored in the 1960s, with a cloister
  • Monte Rua: Inhabited hermitage of Camaldoli
  • Monte Orbieso: ruins of a Benedictine monastery from the 13th century in Galzignano Terme
  • Villa dei Vescovi: Bishop's Palace from the 15th century in Luvigliano, district Torreglia.

The special feature of this cultural landscape lies in the incorporation of the secluded villas, monasteries and monastery ruins in the ensemble of conical Euganean hills with their forests, vineyards, orchards and olive groves.

Agriculture

80 % of the total municipal land is used for agriculture. Agriculture has a long historical tradition in the area; particularly wine and olive growing are already proven by serving Roman historiography. After a temporary decline in the early Middle Ages both traditions in the Republic of Venice, which included the Euganean Hills from the 15th century up to the end of 1797, were again taken up and maintained to the present day.

The Regional Park Authority is committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly production country-specific goods, so that a healthy balance between the agricultural areas on the slopes and at the foot of the hills and the nature ceded areas is to be achieved at the higher elevations.

From the region come DOC wines of the white varieties Garganega, Tocai Friulano, Pinot blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay, and the red varieties Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and raboso.

The Pinello is a white wine made ​​from a special variety that exists only in the Euganean Hills. The Serprino is a vino frizzante from the Glera ( so since the beginning of 2010 is called the grape variety Prosecco ), which may be called only in the province of Padua so. The Fior d' Arancio ( = orange blossom ) is a sweet dessert wine made ​​from the grape Moscato fior d' Arancio.

Beekeepers also been suspected in antiquity, produce honey from the flowers of acacia, chestnut, heather and lavender, which has been added to the list of quality products under the directive of the Italian agricultural and forest department.

The local olive oil producers Rasara, Marzemina, Rondella e Matosso their products individually variable ago by ancient recipes.

By-products of many producers are homemade jams, juices and syrups from wild fruits such as blackberries and raspberries, as well as from cultured Chinese jujubes, pomegranates, nuts, medlars and almonds.

List of hill

1) leveled by dredging now

Communities of the Euganean Hills

Euganei Montegrotto Terme Volcano Maquis shrubland Classical antiquity Fire salamander Varietal Glera (grape) Este, Veneto
197597
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