Top 10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Province of Brescia, Lombardy

The Lombardy Region officially recognised the Nature Reserve of Manerba del Garda ("Della Rocca, del Sasso e Parco Lacuale") with a regional resolution in April 2016. The park covers a territory of approximately 1,160,000 m2 (include meadows, woodland, trails, vineyards and olive groves), as well as 850,000 m2 of the lake itself. The Reserve was established to preserve and promote the ecosystem and landscape, historical and archeological sites, as well as to support such activities as education and understanding, preservation and divulgation of a unique environment, remarkable for both its history and biodiversity. The Valtenesi Archeological Museum within the Reserve is the information centre for visitor who wish to understand why throughout history humans have chosen to settle in this spectacular setting. The Reserve is always open to the public.

The Reserve is the largest protected archaeological area of Camonica Valley. It extends over 300 hectars of territory embracing the three municipalities of Ceto (with Nadro village), Cimbergo and Paspardo. The tour begins at the Museum located in Nadro (ticket office, information, services, printed materials, audio-guides) and continues on to several possible visiting routes starting from Nadro di Ceto (to Foppe Area), from Cimbergo (to Campanine Area) and from Paspardo (to Plas, In Vall, Deria and Sottolaiolo Areas). In the Foppe Area there is a Prehistoric Village reconstruction.

Instituted in 2005 in occasion of the 50th anniversary of the National Park of Rock Engravings of Naquane, the City Archaeological Park of Seradina and Bedolina preserves a lot of engraved rocks with, principally, single figures, men with weapons also on horses, hunting beatings, plough scenes. These carvings have been dated, mostly, between Bronze Age (2000 b.C.) and Iron Age (1000 b.C.). In the highest zone of the Park (Bedolina) it is possible to admire the famous “Map of Bedolina”, probably a topographic reproduction of the around territory. Inside the Park there are five different itineraries consisting of easy paths plunged in the nature that visitors can follow in order to discover the sectors the Park consists in. The particular micro-climate characterizing this area permits the growth of uncommon natural species such as Opuntia Compressa (a little Indian fig). This context was considered, by prehistoric tribes, as an holy one and the mountains protecting the area (Pizzo Badile and Concarena), during special periods of the year, “play” with sun and its rays, producing light tricks.