Valle del Freddo

The valle del Freddo was established as a Biotope by a Regione Lombardia decree on december 1981. It is situated in the municipality of Solto Collina at a altitude of 350-700 metres and is about 70 ha in size.
ThenReserve hosts a particular micro-thermal phenomenon which generates the growth of flora which is typically found at high altitudes. The first botanist who explored the Valle del Freddo was Guido Isnenghi. In 1939 while he was passing through Piangaiano, Guido noticed edelweis on a hunter's hat and was told that it had been picked from the area which is now the Reserve.
The botanist went there and was able to ascertain the presence of botanical species which normally survuve at high altitudes. The major determinants of this flora are holes in the mountain side which emit cold air. Since that day many researchers and experts have been studying this phenomenon. In 1962 Luigi Fenaroli published the first collection of studies made in the valley which pinpointed 160 botanical species, 24 of which are species grow at high altitudes. Subsequently in accordance withnthe Regional Statute n 86/83 the Valle del Freddo was declared to be a Nature Reserve in order tompreserve its geological, floral and zoological heritage.

Today we were there and I photograh this and many others species of higher altitude.
Alpenrose, edelweis and so on. Here a little collage.