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Comune: VELLETRI
This valley is characterized by one of the last spontaneous vegetation growing
in the southern part of the Castelli Romani, an aerea where
most of the territories have been destined to agricultural cultivation.
The farmers know very well that the vineyards cultivated near
ditches are quite sound and rarely are affected by parasites.
Places like this are actually the perfect habitat for insects
eating the parasites of the grapevines.
The vegetation growing along the valley’s slopes is characterized
by one of the last spontaneous vegetation growing in the southern
part of the Castelli Romani where most of the territories are
cultivated with grapevines, olives trees, and kiwis.
Till the 50s, this place was frequented by Velletri’s
citizens as they took water from the sources along the ditch,
located under the Via della Regina’s bridge.
Area's Natural Characteristics
The torrent flowing in the valley is very reach in water particularly
during rainy seasons and it is surrounded by luxuriant vegetation:
elms, chestnuts, maples, acacias, elders and bays. There are
small hazels, whose branches according to the legend were utilized
by magicians for their magic wands: in fact during Christmas
night, in some secret places an hazel’s branch can become
gold. During San Giovanni’s day, the rhabdomancers use
the hazels branches as rods to find water sources.
Along the slopes there is the nightingale, a passerine which
is difficult to see as it is very timid, but its presence is
signalled by its chirp very characteristic. The yellow ballerina,
a bird very elegant while walking and moving its tail, lives
near the ditch. It eats small invertebrates while flying or
walking on the ground. The toad too lives in the valley. It
is an amphibious with crepuscular and nocturnal habits. In winter,
when the weather condition are difficult it lives far from reproduction
places.
Place
Seeing the valley from the bridge on via Ponte della Regina
is preferable. From the Velletri’s railway station cross
via Appia (S.S. 7) towards Rome (100 metres), till a traffic
lights where you have to turn to the right. After a level crossing,
you will reach the bridge in a few minutes.
Roads and Public Transports
By car: From Rome cross via Appia nuova (S.S. 7, outlet
23 of the G.R.A.), following the directions toward Albano and
Velletri.
By train: The nearest railway station is that of Velletri,
at a distance of 6 kilometres from the beginning of the path.
The line is Rome-Velletri. There is a train starting from Rome
each hour. It will take you an hour to reach Velletri. (For
information on train timetable call the phone number 848888088
or visit the web page www.fs-on-line.it.
By Bus: Rome-Velletri. (Cotral bus service phone number
800431784, phone number 067222153) from the underground station
‘Anagnina’ of the Line A. It will take you an hour
to reach Velletri (piazza Garibaldi). From Velletri you can
take a local bus to reach the railway station).
Topic
Botany, fauna,
Visits
For information phone to the Azienda Promozione Turistica, piazza
Garibaldi, phone number 069630896 - 069633367.
Tourist signs
absent
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