Orto Botanico delle Alpi Apuane / Pellegrini-Ansaldi Botanical Garden

-

 

The Pellegrini-Ansaldi Botanical Garden is a delightful mountain botanical garden, located in Pian della Fioba area near Massa. The about 3-hectare area hosts many endemic species typical of limestone areas and several examples of flora typical of siliceous peaks. They are rare plants and shrubs typical of the flora of the Apuan Alps that are protected and reproduced here. Apart from the plants, visitors can have amazing views of the Apuan mountain ranges, marble mine and the green surroundings.


The Botanical Garden in Pian della Fioba is at an altitude of about 900 m. The narrow road there is numerous zig-zag. It’s exciting to go up and the drive demands extreme attention to avoid crash with cars running the opposite way. At time, gangs of motorcycles flashed past. The biggest gang consisted of over 40 motorcycles. When we approached the Botanical Garden, it was a complete tranquil green environment. 

The Botanical Garden is dedicated to the doctor and botanist Pietro Pellegrini (1867 - 1957) from Massa and since 4 March 2016 co-owned by Maria Ansaldi (1959-2013), botanist and curator of the Alpine garden until her premature death. Thanks to Maria Ansaldi, the garden was completely renovated with an intervention by the Apuan Alps Regional Park included in the DOCUP 2000-2006 financing system. It tells how the name of the Botanical Garden was formed.

The Pellegrini-Ansaldi Botanical Garden is open between spring and early autumn. From Easter to end May it is open during the weekends, every day in June throughout to mid-September, then on weekends only until end October. From November to Easter, extraordinary openings for groups are possible by reservation. Opening hours: 9.30am - 1.00pm and 3.00pm - 7.00pm. 


During the opening hours, access from the entrance to the shelter-workshop is free and open to all. One can join a guided tour led by university students to walk through the hiking trail at 9.30 - 10.15 -11.15 -12.00, 3.00pm - 3.45pm - 4.45pm - 5.45pm. The itinerary consists of a mountain path classified as level “E” (Hiking) characterized by a positive difference in altitude of 100 meters and lasts approximately 60 minutes. It costs €5/person, free under 18 years old.




We enjoyed the visit to the Garden with the rare indigenous plants at the high attitude, the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and sea.  Afterwards, we visited the nearby Refuge to enjoy the various views of the Apuan mountain ranges. Gorgeous! Reviews of the refuge at Tripadvisor are good, the food and overall experience.






To reach the Botanical Garden, one can drive from Massa via the panoramic road Massa, or via the "Via dei Carri".  For public transport, one can take bus 66 from Massa Railway Station on weekends during the summer months.
Location: Orto Botanico delle Alpi Apuane "Pietro Pellegrini", Via dei Colli, 54100 Pian della Fioba MS, Italy

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kbal Spean

-
Image
Kbal Spean is a unique archaeological site situated 50km from the Siem Reap.   Religious stone cravings sit on the river banks and bed, 150m stretch of the Stung Kbal Spean River.     Kbal Spean is commonly known as the "Valley of a 1000 Lingas " or "The River of a Thousand Lingas". Lingas are phallic representations sacred to Brahmanism.   It is a symbol of fertility.   Hundreds of them are carved into the rock of the river.   Other carvings include gods such as Vishnu , Shiva , Brahma and animals. To appreciate the beautiful carvings in the nature, one has to climb a trek for around 30 minutes.   Exhausted but worthwhile. Reclining Vishnu is often the theme of carvings.   Others include Shiva and Uma mounted on the bull, Brahma on a lotus petal and still others which I can't figure out exactly. Animals, lingas, yoni dot here and there.            Downdream ...
Read more

Hong Kong Heritage Museum - The Hakkas and Fishing Origin

-
Image
15 June 2012 HK Heritage Museum - Hakka Women It has been more than 10 years that I haven't been to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum .  Today, a Picasso exhibition brought me back.  Hmm, a Spanish artist associating with the Chinese heritage.  It's a special event of the French May .  It drew a lot of people to the museum, though a bit remote.  People, family speaking different languages crowded at the venue.  Picasso 's paintings shown were across his different periods.  Many photos of him and friends were also shown. Hong Kong Heritage Museum is unique in providing the history of Hong Kong, featuring Hakka (Guest family) migration, as a fishing village, the traditional Cantonese opera as the integral parts of Hong Kong's heritage, history and culture. During the reign of Yongzheng and Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (18th century), people were encouraged to utilise wasteland for farming.  A big demographic shift of residen...
Read more

Marshal Zen Garden Beitou 北投少帥禪園

-
Image
Marshal Zen Garden was built during the Japanese-colonised period of the 1920's.  It was renowned for the hot spring and was used as the entertainment hub of the Japanese pilots during the end of the World War II. In the 1960's, it was used to confine Marshal Chang Xue-liang and his wife Zhao Di. We checked in in our hotel Double Inn and was driven there.  The environment is very soothing with a lot of green, flowers and typical Japanese set up. We first enjoyed our afternoon tea after travelling straight from Alishan to Chiayi to Taipei. You can visit the Zen Garden if you hold a booking of  the tour, hot spring or restaurant. It was very nice to enjoy the afternoon in its tea house  小六茶舖. It's cosy and the food was superb, good value for the money. NTD900 for two. Marshal Chang and his wife were detained at the Zen Garden for decades.  Though it was years ago, the exhibition of his room, photos and his life made me feel...
Read more