Description of the attraction
Between Castiglione della Pescaya and Grosseto, close to a pine forest and famous beaches, lies the Giaccia Botrona Nature Reserve, a marshland that few people know about and which has played an important role in the history and evolution of the Maremma over the centuries. Although it occupies a much smaller area today than in the past, and is surrounded by resorts and cultivated fields, it is a well-preserved part of coastal wetlands that have not been drained.
In fact, these swamps, once considered a frightening and unproductive place, are today the focus of ecologists who teach us to appreciate the richness and importance of these ecosystems, so rare today. Their ability to absorb enormous amounts of water during heavy rains, thus preventing devastating flooding, and their ability to fill underground layers are just a part of the previously underestimated benefits of wetland ecosystems. In addition, it is on the territory of wetlands that you can find a huge variety of species of flora and fauna - this is a real "genetic bank".
March and September are without doubt the best months to visit not only Giaccia Botrona, but other wetlands as well. In early autumn, here you can see flocks of migratory birds that go to winter in warm countries, as well as those who remain on the Apennine Peninsula. October can offer tourists the most magical landscapes, when the first rains and signs of the approaching winter paint the marsh vegetation in the most unusual colors - here you can see bright red potash, purple tanning root and luxurious asters. In winter, Diaccia Botrona becomes a real paradise for birdwatching fans - there are so many birds here, you can watch their daily life through binoculars. And in spring, a new migratory season begins - birds living in the silt, various duck and magnificent egrets scurry back and forth in search of food and shelter. Everywhere you can hear the voices of rice corpses, river larks and nightingales, trying to attract a partner or defend their territory. During this period, tourists need to be especially careful not to disturb the animals during their most delicate period.
Summer is not the best time to visit Gyaccia Botrona: the scorching sun, stuffiness, mosquitoes - all this can spoil the contemplation of even the most beautiful landscapes. But, despite this, early in the morning or at sunset, here you can find yourself in complete unity with nature and hear the sounds of "swamp" life - the shrill singing of bittern, the rustle of lizards and snakes in the grass, or just swaying reeds.
