Riserva naturale della Valle dei Casali, Regional nature reserve in Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
Riserva naturale della Valle dei Casali is a protected nature reserve on the outskirts of Rome that spreads across rolling hills sloping toward the Tiber River. The reserve connects several neighborhoods and features old farmhouses alongside an 18th-century villa built in English landscape style.
The area received protected status as a nature reserve in 1997 to safeguard its rural character and historic structures. This designation stopped further urban development and helped maintain a green corridor between Rome's western districts and the river.
The land has been used for farming and orchards for centuries, shaped by the needs of families working the soil. You can still see old farmhouses and small fields that reflect how people lived off this ground.
The reserve is accessible on foot through marked walking paths that connect different neighborhoods, with entry points from Via del Casaletto and Via Portuense. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon when trails are quieter and wildlife is more visible.
In recent years, parakeets have established nesting colonies in the oak and maple trees scattered across the reserve, an unexpected sight in Rome's countryside. These colorful birds have become an integral part of the ecosystem and offer a surprising encounter for visitors.
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