Description of the attraction
The nature reserve "Tor Kaldara", spread over an area of 44 hectares, was founded in 1988. It is located on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea and is part of the municipality of Anzio. Recently awarded the status of one of the most important protected areas in Europe, Tor Caldara is famous for its ruins of the ancient coastal fortress line that once occupied the entire coastal area in southern Lazio. The territory of the reserve is no less important from a naturalistic point of view. Here you can see an evergreen Mediterranean forest dominated by two types of trees - stone oak and cork oak. Under the influence of sea winds, the forest has partially turned into an intricate Mediterranean "macchia" - this is no longer a forest, it seems, but rather a thicket of bushes. On the coast, there are dunes with their characteristic vegetation, and in some places there are also deciduous oaks.
The visitor center of the reserve plays a key role in providing tourists with information about the local ecosystems as well as the attractions of Tor Caldara. There is a picnic area next to it. The small botanical garden of the reserve contains a collection of the main representatives of the Mediterranean flora. There is also a Wildlife Assistance Center with aviaries and turtle shelters. And the local ponds are home to a variety of fish and aquatic plant species. Finally, nature lovers will love a visit to a special observatory equipped for bird watching.
On the site of a small lake that was previously used for sulfur mining, the administration of the reserve has today successfully restored an ecosystem fed by rainwater. Since then, gray and red herons, little bittern and stilts have been recorded on the shores of this lake.
The "Tor Kaldara" reserve is also interesting from the point of view of historical and architectural monuments. Thus, a typical Roman hut was recreated on its territory, which have been widespread since the 10th century BC. and up until the 1930s. Here you can also see old beehives, which produce environmentally friendly honey, propolis and pollen. Finally, the old Tor Kaldane tower, built in the middle of the 16th century to watch the sea and warn the local population in case of danger, deserves special attention. It was built on the site of a rich villa from the Roman period, the ruins of which can still be seen today.
