Description of the attraction
The Foche del Isonzo Nature Reserve is located in the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and includes part of the Grado lagoon. The Isonzo River itself originates in the Julian Alps in Slovenia and after about 140 km flows into the Adriatic Sea 10 km northeast of the island of Grado. The protected area stretches from the mouth of the Isonzo to the Po delta in the immediate vicinity of Venice - the total area of the reserve is 2,400 hectares. The "heart" of the reserve is Isola della Cona.
The flora and fauna of the reserve are of great natural importance and are characterized by incredible diversity, which, in turn, is due to the diversity of local ecosystems - there are alluvial forests, sand dunes, swamps, sandy and gravel islands, river beds, pastures and meadows, freshwater ponds, reed thickets, sea areas and, finally, cultivated land. The vegetation of the Foche del Isonzo is represented by poplars, alder, white willows, oaks, hornbeams and ash trees. The fauna is more diverse and spectacular - mammals, reptiles and insects live in the reserve. Birds deserve special attention, of which there are over 300 species! That is why "Foche del Isonzo" has long been chosen by birdwatchers who come here from all over the world to observe nesting and migrating birds. As for mammals, it is worth mentioning the Camargue horse, which was introduced to the reserve to preserve the natural balance of ecosystems. This horse breed is considered one of the oldest in Europe.
In addition to direct nature protection, tourism is actively developing on the territory of Foche del Isonzo. To get acquainted with the reserve, you can turn to the visitor center and book a walking, horseback or water tour of this unique oasis. Particularly popular, as mentioned above, are birdwatching tours. In addition, the reserve has an eco-park, a Ducks Museum, an observation post, as well as several hiking trails, a guest house where you can spend the night, and a small restaurant.
The Foche del Isonzo Visitor Center is housed in a restored country house. Here you can get acquainted with the history of the reserve, its flora and fauna, watch dioramas and other video materials, see with your own eyes the reconstruction of various ecosystems of the Isonzo estuary. A special stereo system allows you to hear bird chirps and sounds from different animals, and a laboratory equipped with microscopes allows you to discover the macro world.
A separate museum in the reserve is dedicated to renewable energy sources - you can see small working models with explanatory plates and find educational materials that explain concepts such as "energy sustainability" or tell about the transition from the oil era to the hydrogen age.
No less interesting is the small Ducks Museum, which displays stuffed animals of these waterfowl. Here you can also learn about the centuries-old relationship between man and ducks - all phases of this relationship have been carefully reconstructed from ancient times to the present day. The museum is housed in a two-story building that faithfully reproduces the old "kazoni", a typical fishing hut in the lagoon. A powerful telescope is installed in the nearby observation post, which allows you to observe the rich fauna of the reserve.
