Oasi Arnovecchio - Area naturale protetta

Natural Protected Area of ​​Arnovecchio

Located in the town of Empoli, about one kilometer east of the town, the Natural Protected Area of ​​Arnovecchio comes at a Arno paleomeandro. The river borders the area to the north, while to the south flows the State Route 67; the city of Empoli and the town of Fibbiana (Montelupo Fiorentino) will respectively constitute the western edge and the eastern.

HOW TO GET

A map is available on http://www.zoneumidetoscane.it/it/arnovecchio-area-naturale-protetta

Coming from Pisa or Florence take the FI-PI-LI, take the exit in exit Empoli East and turn right at the first intersection. After reaching a roundabout take the SS.67 towards Empoli center and continue for about 500 meters (to the height of Bianconi Restaurant), turn right in via Canton and immediately right again into street of the Island Plan. Follow the road (narrow but paved) until it engages with Arnovecchio street, turn right again and go 300 meters (dell'ANPIL entrance on the left).

For those who find themselves at Empoli from the sports center along the Avenue of phono Olympics after all and take away Tinaia direction Cortenuova. At the crossroads we find just reached the latter village, turn left in via Arnovecchio direction Fibbiana (Montelupo F.no) and drive about 500 meters (dell'ANPIL entrance on the left).

OPENING TIME

Access to the protected area of ​​natural Arnovecchio is free during opening hours.

SEPTEMBER:

• Saturday from 16.00 to 19.00
• Sunday from 9.00 to 12.00 (Guided tours on Saturdays at 17 and Sundays at 10 am)

OCTOBER:

• Saturday from 15.30 to 18.30
• Sunday from 9.00 to 12.00 (Guided tours on Saturdays at 16.30 and Sundays at 10 am)

NOVEMBER:

• Saturday from 14.00 to 17.00
• Sunday from 9.00 to 12.00 (Guided tours on Saturdays at 15.00 and Sundays at 10 am)

DECEMBER:

• Saturday from 13.30 to 16.30
• Sunday from 9.00 to 12.00 (Guided tours on Saturdays at 15.00 and Sundays at 10 am)

ENTERPRISE ON NEWS

The nature reserve area of ​​Arnovecchio is characterized by a mosaic of different environments, that although man-made, with the gradual abandonment of certain production activities have gone through a spontaneous process of naturalization still ongoing.

A better model the morphology of the area, after the realization of the original bed of the Arno correction (carried out during the sixteenth century to prevent recurrent flooding of the river), have been recent gravel mining, which, starting since 1966, they have persisted for decades, leading to the formation of some lakes.

The remaining land is predominantly agricultural use, with a certain promiscuity of herbaceous and woody crops and a trim of the fields still attributable to the traditional rural landscape. In it the marks of historical remediation are well recognizable, identifiable in the system of canals that run on the south side of the area.

The territory of Arnovecchio was included in the list of Protected Natural Areas of Local Interest in Tuscany Region (ANPIL) under L.R. 49/95. The protected natural area managing body is the City of Empoli, which has implemented a specific management regulations.

THE RECOVERY OF THE CAVE

In addition to the facilities already made use nella'area former quarry Pierucci, are being studied various works for environmental improvement in naturalistic purposes, all meant to lead to a further diversification of the wetlands.

Appropriate interventions modeling of banks on some areas of the lakes could in fact give a more natural structure in these basins allowing to derive new habitats (like the shallow waters) or expand some existing (reeds and hydric wood).

The realization of true and proper islands or small floating platforms anchored to the bottom, will stimulate the resting and nesting of some species of waterfowl.

Specific actions will also be directed towards the containment of some invasive alien species.