Pescasseroli, the Heart of the National Park of Abruzzo, Pescasseroli, Italy (B)

Pescasseroli in Abruzzo is the heart of the “National Park of Abruzzo”: but more than that it is also the capital of this amazing park. It was here that Erminio Sipari, an inhabitant of the town, developed the idea of the national park to protect the landscape and the wildlife. Created in 1922 it was the first national park in Italy and one of the earliest national parks to be established in the world. Wild animals including wolves and two animals that are not found anywhere else the Camoscio d”Abruzzo (chamois) and the Marsican brown bear roam freely here. It is a matter of great pride to the inhabitants of the park that they live in harmony with the wild animals.

The splendid family residence, Palazzo Sipari, where Erminio Sipari lived still graces the town, occupying one side of the Piazza B Croce. This piazza is named for the famous Italian philosopher and writer, Benedetto Croce who was born in the Palazzo Sipari. His mother, Luisa Sipari Croce came to the family home to escape an outbreak of cholera in Naples. They returned to Naples when Croce lived for the rest of his life but he did regularly visit Pescasseroli. The palazzo is now a museum and open during August every year but group visits can be arranged at other times.  ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).