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Town: LANUVIO, VELLETRI
The classical destination and symbol of the Castelli Romani can be considered
the public houses with their typical signs realized with bay's
branches, a small evergreen tree survived in this area only
in shelter point, such as the “Fosso di S. Martinella”
ditch, because of the cool and the abundant water.
The Fosso della Martinella was described and reported by important
botanists in the 30s and 40s as a particular point for the growth
of the bay within cool and shadowy woods. Unfortunately, as
a consequence of excavation works, the topography of the original
ditch has been completely transformed, so that only in some
places it has preserved its natural dimension and where it is
still possible to see evergreen exemplars of bay. This area
belongs partially to the Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani
as a Botany Reserve (11 hectares). The bays of the Fosso della
Martinella should be added to the habitat of the European Union
according to the directive 92/43/CEE, and its protection requires
the designation of particular areas for conservation.
Area's Natural Characteristics
At the Fosso della Martinella there are groups of bay-trees
(Laurus Nobilis), whose presence has been reported fifty years
ago, by the botanist Giuliano Montelucci and more recently by
the botanist Paolo Bassani. In order to admire its flowering,
visit this place during the spring. The yellow flowers are small
and sweet-scented, in clusters, around the leaves' axil.
In the ditch there are bushes of viburnum, rooted in the rocks
and near to the water, and of stracciabraghe, with numerous
interlacing branches, creating a barrier of trunks and thorny
leaves. During summer the thick clusters of elder's black
berries characterize this place with their particular colour.
The fauna of this place has been impoverished by the human intervention.
The mammals are represented by the fox, an almost nocturnal
animal, and the weasel, that can be watched during the day,
even if not very often. Among the birds there are a lot of passerines'
species, such as: robins, sylvia melanocephala, blackcaps, blackbirds,
great titmice, and wrens, whose chirping is very lively and
cheerful if compared with its small size.
Place
The ditch finds near the “Castellaccio”, between
Lanuvio and Velletri, along via appia vecchia (SP 95/a).
Roads and Public Transports
By car: From Rome cross via Appia nuova (S.S. 7 –
slip-road 23 G.R.A.) following the road signs towards Albano
and Velletri. Before reaching Velletri turn to the left on via
appia vecchia following the road signs towards Lanuvio.
By train: Rome-Velletri. There is a train starting each
hour from Rome. It will take you an hour to reach Albano Laziale.
For information on train timetable call the phone number 848888088
or visit the web page www.fs-on-line.it.
The station finds at a distance of 6 km from the railway station.
By Bus: Rome-Velletri. (Cotral bus service phone number
800431784, phone number 067222153) from the underground station
‘Anagnina' of the Linea A. It will take you an hour
to reach Velletri (Piazza Garibaldi).
Topic
Botany
Visits
For information phone to the Azienda di Promozione Turistica,
Piazza Garibaldi, phone number 069630896 - 069633367.
Tourist signs
Absent
Further Information
Books: Bassani P., Cantiani G.P., 1997. L’ambiente
naturale del Vulcano Laziale. Ed. XI Townstà Montana
del Lazio “Castelli Romani e Prenestini”, Rocca
Priora (RM); Bassani P., Lotti L., 1992. Alberi e arbusti
del Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani. Casa editrice del
Parco dei Castelli Romani, Rocca di Papa (RM).
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