Riserva naturale di Monte Mario, Regional nature reserve in Rome, Italy.
Riserva naturale di Monte Mario is a regional nature reserve in northwestern Rome spanning about 206 hectares with Mediterranean woodlands and mixed forests. The area features dense stands of holm oak, cork oak, hornbeam, and maple trees interspersed with open spaces and lower vegetation that provide habitat for birds and small mammals.
The site served as a residential area in Roman times and later attracted noble families who built their country estates here during the Renaissance. This pattern of occupation shaped the landscape over centuries.
Villa Mellini, constructed in the 15th century, contains an Astronomical Observatory and stands on the meridian line of Rome, offering scientific research facilities.
The reserve has several marked hiking trails through the forests with varying difficulty levels to suit different abilities. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and allow plenty of time as some paths can be quite steep or challenging.
The reserve contains marine fossils from ancient times embedded in its soil, revealing that the area was once covered by sea. Scientists from around the world visit the site to study these paleontological treasures.
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