Macalube, Regional nature reserve in Aragona, Italy.
Macalube is a nature reserve where mud pools continuously release gases and mineral-rich water from underground, gradually building small cone-shaped formations. The terrain features these muddy mounds scattered across a protected area, with each one actively growing as materials accumulate from below.
The Italian government established this protected site in 1995 and entrusted its management to the environmental organization Legambiente. This official designation recognized the scientific value of the location and secured its preservation for future generations.
The site draws people curious about the geological forces at work beneath the surface and how nature constantly reshapes itself. Locals view this place as evidence of the Earth's living systems, where visitors can observe processes that few other locations display.
Access is through designated areas that require advance arrangements, while other zones remain off-limits for scientific study. Wear sturdy footwear since the ground is uneven and muddy in places.
The methane released from these mud pools can spontaneously ignite under the right conditions, a rare natural phenomenon. This makes the location a place where visitors can witness Earth's chemical processes happening in real time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
