PROVINCIAL NATURAL RESERVE MONTENERO

A solitary basalt cliff, ploughed by the water of the wild stream Strolla, forming charming waterfalls and ponds: this is the woody cliff rising from the pliocenic hills of upper Val d’Era, between Volterra and S.Gimignano, one of the most important areas in the territory of Volterra for its landscape and its natural features. Here is also the Church Pieve della Nera, one of the most precious religious buildings in the diocese of Volterra.

The geological nature of these places determines their inaccessible morphology with steep slopes, outcropping rocks and deep furrows created by stream Strolla. The substratum is made of ophiolitic rocks, whose difficult alterability and mineralogical composition originate vegetable associations of great phytogeographical and ecological interest. This area is mainly covered by woods: there are interesting holm-oak formations that, in the northern slopes, are replaced by wet holm-oak woods with Hop Hornbeam.

The Reserve can be visited on a “Sentiero Natura” (Nature track) that winds throughout the Area. Birds of prey are often seen in this area, which provides the ideal environment for nest-building and rest, in order to hunt in the surroundings. The wonderful harrier eagle, also known as "Mediterranean Eagle", peregrine, kestrel and honey buzzard are worth a mention. Besides birds of prey, there are over 60 species of breeding birds in this area and also the wild boar, roe deer, fox, badger and hedgehog can be seen quite often.

Founded: 1997 - Area: 69 hectares
Altitude: 250-508 mt. above sea level
Management: Mountain Community Val di Cecina under an agreement with the Province of Pisa
Municipality involved: Volterra


Further Information: Mountain Community Val di Cecina
tel. 058862003; Province of Pisa tel. 050929111
e-mail: riservenaturali@cm-valdicecina.pisa.it
Internet: www.cm-valdicecina.pisa.it