Riserva Naturale Regionale Monticchie
Our stop is Monticchie Nature Reserve, a woodland area located on an ancient paleochannel of the Po River, not far from Roncaglia (now Somaglia), an ancient fortress built to defend the city of Milan during the Middle Ages and easily accessible today by train + bicycle from Milan or from Piacenza.
Listed among wildlife restocking and capture areas in 1969 and wildlife protection areas in the late 70's, it was then taken over by the WWF at the behest of regional authorities. Since 1988, it became known as the Regional Natural Reserve, encompassing an area of 250 hectares. In 2005, it was recognized by the European Community as a Site of Community Importance.
Our tour begins in the exhibition halls and educational workshops of Cavazzi Castle, dedicated to both the Reserve and, more generally, to river environments, and continues along the outdoor path leading visitors to the bank of the Po River and to the Natural Reserve itself. Despite the considerable changes it has undergone in the last few decades, the area still retains the old charm of the Lodi plains, particularly in the stretch of land separating the Castle from the Reserve.
Beyond the presence of crayfish and a rare animal species known as Lataste's Frog, which enjoy the humid environment, its most interesting wildlife is found in its large heronry, a nesting colony of about 600 ardeid couples, among which visitors may also spot Grey Herons.
