Réserve naturelle Sasso Fratino, Nature reserve in Province of Forlì-Cesena, Italy
Sasso Fratino is a strictly protected forest reserve covering steep mountain slopes in the Casentino area, ranging from 650 to 1520 meters in elevation. The landscape contains multiple ecological zones with dense beech forests and diverse plant and animal communities.
The site was established in 1959 as Italy's first fully protected nature reserve and owes its pristine state to difficult terrain. Steep slopes prevented intensive logging and farming operations over many centuries.
The reserve represents a significant component of the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests network, joining 70 other locations across Europe in preserving natural forest heritage.
Access requires special research permits that are controlled by authorities to protect the forest. Visitors should understand this is not a typical recreation area and entry remains highly restricted.
The forest contains individual beech trees that are nearly 600 years old, making them among Europe's oldest specimens. Additionally, about 800 mushroom species thrive here alongside wolves, deer, and several birds of prey in this undisturbed setting.
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