The Apuan botanical garden

The Apuan Alps are not just marble and quarries: hidden among the paths of Pian della Fioba, between Massa and Garfagnana, is the Botanical Garden of the Apuan Alps, whose goal is to preserve the Apuan flora of its mountains. The reserve is a tribute to physician and botanist Pietro Pellegrini (1867-1957), known for his studies on the flora of the Apuan territory.

Following discoveries related to fragments of Roman pottery from the 3rd-2nd century B.C., the park was also included among the archaeological sites of the Municipality of Massa: in fact, the findings revealed the presence of ancient settlements in the Apuan Alps region, linked to the relationship that Rome had with Carrara and its marble quarries.

Currently, the Garden is home to plants of the Apuan fauna that grow wild; at its entrance there is an area dedicated to the cultivation of trees of various species planted at the time of the garden’s establishment. Specifically, the types present include: the Austrian black pine, white spruce, Atlas cedar, and Lawson’s cypress. In the lower part of the kitchen garden, on the other hand, there are plants typical of chestnut forests, tree heather, and blueberry, which represents a type of vegetation characteristic of the ledges of the Apuan Alps.

The best time to be able to visit the vegetable garden? During the spring. In this season, the paths of the kitchen garden become colorful with the flowering of various plants and create a magical and evocative atmosphere by filling with scents, thanks to plants such as coronilla and raven pear. The coronilla, with its colorful flowers and delicate scent, adds a delicate touch and pleasant fragrance in the garden paths. The raven pear tree, on the other hand, with its white flowers, adds to the idyllic setting.

Within the garden it is possible to find flowers that are common along the entire Apennine chain, as well as those found in the mountains of the Mediterranean basin. The combination of plant species reflects the characteristic ecosystem of the Apuan Alps; in fact, the climate and its altitudes favor the growth of a wide variety of plants.

The conservation project of the Pian della Fioba Botanical Garden was born with the objective of improving and restoring the existing areas, integrating elements that facilitate the understanding of the environmental and botanical characteristics of the place, such as the system of signs within the paths. In fact, it consists of 16 information boards arranged along the trail. The boards deal with general topics such as the environment, geology, fauna and flora of the Apuan Alps. Thus, one can speak of a real outdoor museum that introduces visitors to the scientific and naturalistic contents of the place in a clear and educational way. In addition to the 16 main boards, there are also another 25 smaller information boards that point out the most representative and special plant species within the garden. Thus, the educational poster system helps to promote the enhancement of the environment but also to guide and educate visitors to the natural and scientific beauty of the area.