カステッリーナマリッティマの天然記念物・トップ14

St. Luceの町を過ぎた後の下りは最高です！良いアスファルト、きれいなカーブ、そして常に全開です。

Beautiful views and white roads in the Tuscan countryside overlooking Lake Santa Luce, a natural oasis.

The Santa Luce Oasis, with over 150 species recorded, is an important resting area for migratory birds and each season has its own protagonists. In winter, the lake is populated with multi-coloured ducks such as Pochards, Teals, Mallards, Wigeons, while Cormorants put on a show by sitting on tree branches with their wings spread out to dry in the sun. In summer, the reed beds are populated with small, inconspicuous birds such as the Cetti's Warbler, the Reed Warbler and the Great Reed Warbler, while the typical "flask-shaped" nests of the Penduline Tit sway on the tamarisks and the multi-coloured Bee-eater settles in the upper part of the lake. In the morning, it is easy to encounter the Kestrel and the Buzzard patrolling the fields, or the silhouette of the Marsh Harrier as it flies over the reeds; at night, however, the Barn Owl, the Little Owl and other nocturnal birds of prey come into action. But the most spectacular season remains spring: the flowering hills are the backdrop to the wedding parades of the Great Crested Grebe, which has become the symbol of the Oasis. Migrants also appear on the lake and along its shores, especially herons such as the Night Heron, the Little Egret, the Little Bittern and the Purple Heron. In an ecosystem like that of the lake there is an enormous wealth of life and biological diversity such as elegant dragonflies, colorful painted ladies and other butterflies and the large nocturnal sphinxes. Reptiles and amphibians are also constant presences.

Beautiful views typical of Tuscany and Lake Santa Luce.

Artificial lake, LlPU oasis since 1992, is located a stone's throw from Rosignano. You can reach it by taking state road 206, in the direction of Pisa, and following the signs for the town of Santa Luce. After a short while you come across the lake, which appears as a body of water surrounded by a thick reed bed. The LlPU visitor center is located near the artificial barrier. The Santa Luce Oasis, with over 150 species recorded, is an important rest area for migratory birds and each season has its protagonists. In winter the lake is populated by multi-colored ducks such as Pochards, Teals, Mallards, Wigeons, while Cormorants put on a show by perching on the branches of the trees with their wings spread to dry in the sun. In summer the reed beds are populated by small, inconspicuous birds such as the Cetti's Warbler, the Reed Warbler and the Great Reed Warbler, while the typical "flask-shaped" nests of the Penduline Tit sway on the tamarisks and the multicoloured Bee-eater settles in the upper part of the lake.

An oasis of peace surrounded by unspoiled nature. Perfect for walking, cycling and bird watching.

Always a show today with the fog it looks like a 🖼️ painting 🔝

The first settlement of Guardistallo dates back to the Neolithic, according to the findings preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Florence. While on the one hand an Etruscan settlement is probable, on the other a Lombard presence is certain. The toponym derives in fact from the Germanic Wardan (guard) and Stall (place). After being subjected to the Della Gherardesca and the Pisan Republic, it ended up under Florence. In 1447 the troops of the king of Naples, Alfonso of Aragon, destroyed its houses and buildings, but that was not the only devastation that struck the town. The violent earthquake of 1846 destroyed most of the houses and the castle. The subsequent reconstruction saw the birth of the small and charming Marchionneschi Theater, wanted by the most influential local family to demonstrate the wealth of the town, renamed in the area "little Paris". Another tragedy struck Guardistallo in 1944: the Nazi army killed 63 civilians, in response to partisan actions. An oasis of peace and flavors In the surrounding area, the Monastery of Nostra Signora in Valserena is worth a visit, belonging to the nuns of the Cistercian order who for years have produced and sold cosmetics based on olive oil grown in the convent's fields. Due to its location and pleasant climate, Guardistallo is a sought-after vacation spot, from which it is easy to reach the coast and cities of art such as Pisa or Volterra. The surrounding countryside is full of olive groves that produce a prized extra virgin olive oil extracted from lazzare olives, celebrated every spring with the crogiantina festival (another name for bruschetta with oil). And speaking of festivals, a traditional event is in October with polenta, given that Guardistallo is part of the National Association of Polenta Makers of Italy.