Riserva naturale orientata "San Giuliano", Regional nature reserve near Matera, Italy
San Giuliano nature reserve is a protected area covering roughly 2,575 hectares spread across three municipalities, with wetlands, woodlands, and cultivated fields as its main habitats. The Bradano River flows through the reserve and a dam creates a body of water that shapes much of the landscape.
The reserve came into being following construction of the San Giuliano Dam between 1950 and 1957, a project supported by the Marshall Plan economic program. This infrastructure transformed the natural conditions of the Bradano Valley and became the foundation for today's protected area.
The name honors Saint Julian, a figure rooted in local tradition and devotion. Today, visitors experience how this place remains woven into the fabric of the surrounding communities through its natural features and the way people engage with the landscape.
The area is most easily reached via State Road 7 between Matera and Ferrandina; follow this route and look for signs toward the San Giuliano Dam. Bring appropriate outdoor gear when visiting, as conditions vary with the season and terrain can be muddy after rain.
In 2006, researchers discovered a 27-meter whale fossil from the Pleistocene period on the lake shores. This remarkable skeleton is now displayed at the Domenico Ridola Museum in Matera, revealing that marine creatures once inhabited this region long before the modern dam was built.
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