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Regional Park of the Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa
Created in 1988 between San Lazzaro di Savena, Ozzano, Pianoro and Bologna, the Parco Regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa covers a protected area of 4844 hectares, with over 200 caves; it is one of the largest and most spectacular networks of gypsum caves in Europe. Gypsum outcrops and calanques are the mineral treasure of this area. The Gessi Bolognesi is one of the most important and studied karst configurations in Europe; this area of great beauty is rich in spectacular erosive features and cavities populated by vegetal and animal species of great scientific interest.
High Mediterranean hills, highlands and rocky cliffs are interrupted by flat fields that extend through the clay calanques of the Passo dell’Abadessa shaping beautiful and amazing landscapes.
A walk in this park will bring back images of the moon because of the somewhat “similar” landscape. In fact the silvery rock with its crystal structure and pearly brightness at the top of the gypsum outcrops is called selenite (moon rock).
From the highest points, you can have a view of the main valleys softening into the great plain, and when the sky is clear you can have an almost unreal view of the Alps.
Parco Regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi Dell'Abbadessa
Park Headquarters and Visitor Centre
"Casa Fantini" Via Jussi, 171 - 40068 San Lazzaro di Savena Località Farneto (BO)
Tel. +39 051 6254811 - Fax +39 051 6254521
parco@parcogessibolognesi.it
Visitor Centre
Tel. +39 051 6254821
info@parcogessibolognesi.it
Visitor Centres
Villa Torre
Visitor Centre and Environmental Education Centre
Via Tolara di Sopra, 99 - 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia
Tel: +39 051 6254830
Environmental Education Centre: CEA "Punto Scuola"
The Centre organises educational activities for schools to offer children the opportunity to learn about the precious natural, paeleontological, archaeological and historical heritage of this protected area and the good practices for a correct management of this area such as organic farming and sustainable tourism.
Tel: +39 051 6254821
scuolainfea@parcogessibolognesi.it
Links
How to get here
From the by-pass road of Bologna take the exit no. 12 and go towards the town. You will find yourself on a stretch of a three-lane fast road. When you reach the first roundabout go ahead and cross the via Emilia (if you turn left you will get to San Lazzaro), and at the second roundabout you will have on the right viale Roma (in the direction of Bologna) and on the left via Bellaria (in the direction of S. Lazzaro di Savena) which continues towards the Farneto with the name of Via Jussi. The indications of all the meeting points will have exit 12 and the above-mentioned indications as a reference point.
