The Pollino National Park,
Matera, Basilicata

The beautiful Pollino National Park lies between Calabria and Basilicata under the auspices of three provinces – Matera, Potenza and Cosenza. It is the largest natural park in Italy with about 192,000 hectares of mountains, streams, meadows, pine forests and canyons. There is a wide range of flora and fauna to see, which varies according to the season.

Pollino National Park Location

The emblem of the park is the pino loricato(Pinus leucodermis Ant.) known as the palebark pine in English. The park was created in 1991 partly in order to conserve the last few remaining trees. This rare pine has gleaming cracked bark, white branches and dark green needles. Some trees in the park have an intriguing spiral bark formation. Although attractive, this is usually a result of environmental stress. The trees favour difficult locations on the sides of rocky slopes and their shapes reflect the effects of wind, ice and lightning.

Untamed Southern Italy
Pollino Park is an ideal place to enjoy southern Italy at its untamed best. The views extend from the Ionian to the Tyrrhenian Sea as far as Sicily. Golden eagles, buzzards and peregrine falcons soar above the mountain peaks and forests inhabited by wolves and roe deer. Otters swim in the many streams while hares and black squirrels forage for food in the woods and fields.

As well as the pino loricato there are fine examples of turkey oak, laurel, holly, silver fir and maple. Plants include honesty, dog roses, orchids, prickly pear and water mint.

The little villages in the park maintain a southern Italian lifestyle from days gone by. Some of the old local women still wear traditional dress. There are also small groups of Arberesche, ethnic Italian-Albanians who still maintain their own culture and language.

History, Walking and Gastronomy

Pollino has many fascinating archaeological features which reflect the cultures which conquered it from Greek and Roman to Byzantine, Norman and Spanish. Further back in the regions past the Grotta-Riparo del Romito with carved pictures dating from the Upper Paleolithic, is one of the oldest and most important prehistoric sites in Europe.

The Pollino National park is a paradise for walkers, with many different trails from challenging mountain trekking to pleasant and undemanding walks through the breathtaking countryside. You can go to one of several visitors centres to view the many environmental projects which have been set up, including organic farms and ecohostels.

For foodies, there is a chance to indulge yourself with some of the regions finest local dishes, made from home grown seasonal ingredients.

Pollino National Park really has something for everyone. And the wonderful thing is that if you decide to buy one of the Landscape masserie in Matera, it is virtually on your doorstep to enjoy whenever you want.

Official Pollino National Park Website: http://www.longoweb.com/parcopollino/