The serpentines of the stream Savena
The ANPIL (Protected Natural Area of Local Interest) Sasso di Castro - Monte Beni is situated between the upper valley of the river Santerno and the stream Savena, in the municipality of Firenzuola. The area is also a Site of Regional Importance (SIR n. 36) and it includes the Oasis for Animal Protection of Belvedere.
The mountain group Sasso di Castro-Monte Beni is characterized by the presence of a particular geomorphological outcrop, that is ophiolite groups also called "serpentines", giving life to a place of high naturalistic interest in the upper basin of the stream Savena. The outcrops are located in the wonderful setting created by the woods of broad-leaf trees and conifers. Within the area the old and nowadays disused quarry of Monte Beni could be an opportunity of environmental development of the quarry itself. This area was subject to so an intensive quarry depletion that the number of quarries in this territory is very high: this shows the geological and geomorphological peculiarity of the area.
