A long tree-lined avenue leads to the San Rossore estate, the heart of the Migliarino - San Rossore - Massaciuccoli Regional park. Even if recently established the San Rossore park is an area of high naturalistic value, where the presence of the nearby cities of Pisa and Livorno seem to have totally disregarded the environment, also owing to the safeguarding efforts of the park organisation.

While you glide along the road you might meet, along the paths coasting the road, jockeys proceeding speedily on their steeds directed to the San Rossore hippodrome, which is inside the estate and is one of the best known in Italy.

When the avenue finishes you reach the entrance of the estate where, after leaving the car, all you can do is set out to explore the San Rossore Estate which extends for around 4800 hectares in the area comprised between the Serchio river northward, the Arno in the south and the Tyrrhenian coast.

From here, immerse into nature, in the almost deafening silence, only interrupted by the sound of hoofs running, by the wind or the animals who freely circulate around the park: buzzards, red and green woodpeckers, herons and stilt-birds, as well as wild boars, porcupines and fallow deer.

The coast presents the vegetable species that are typical of the Italian coast, as well as birds of exemplary beauty, curlews and woodcocks. In the southern area, towards the Arno estuary, there is an environment made up of marshes and ponds known as the Natural Reserve of the Lame di Fuori, or "Lame" where many migratory birds spend their winter and find refuge.

The San Rossore estate is open to visitors who can follow the marked trails, starting from the long avenue of impressive and enormous pine trees (in the picture) which seems to never end until it reaches the sea. In some periods, particularly those of nest-building of migratory birds, some areas, such as the coast, visits are forbidden.

Alternatively guided tours are organised in small groups by the park's environment watch and these can be done on foot, by bike, on a small train, by coach on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Also guided tours on horse and in a horse-drawn carriage can be organised upon reservation. The Estate is open to the public on Sundays and on holidays.

For information and visits you can contact the Regional Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Park Organisation at the phone number +39 050 525 500.
(Photo: Album Fotografico - Livorno)

March.2002

Migliarino Regional Park
Province of Pisa (In Italian)