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San Vitale Pinewood – Wetlands in Ravenna
     
image   This Station covers about 11,000 hectares and is characterised by the interaction of nature and human activities; this has lead to the creation of a territory where natural elements live next to important historical evidence. The Station embodies some valuable natural areas, such as the vast San Vitale Pinewood, the Pialasse of Ravenna (large brackish lagoons linked to the sea), the nature reserve of Punte Alberete with its extraordinary flooded forest, Valle Mandriole - kingdom of herons, the Pirottolo depression and the wonderful Bardello meadow. In this natural mosaic, pinewoods alternate with marshy depressions and fresh-water lagoons. Thanks to such a great environmental diversity, this territory presents the highest ornithological variety of the park; among the most important nesting species, all European herons, Pygmy Cormorants, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibises, Ferruginous Ducks, Red-crested Pochards, Garganeys, Gadwalls, Moustached Arblers and Bearded Tits.
Behind the sea-side resorts on the Adriatic coast - still presenting a lot of natural areas - the countryside is rich in holiday farms and agricultural fields, the results of past and recent reclamation activities.

S. Alberto
It is the principal town of this area of the Park, rich in traditions and charm. It presents a characteristic well-preserved town centre, whose most important elements are the former house of the poet Olindo Guerrini (today it is an active Cultural Centre) and the 17th century Palazzone housing the Park Visitor Centre and a valuable ornithological collection.
A small ferry-boat leaving from S. Alberto along the river Reno leads to Valle Furlana and the river Bank - situated in the southern part of the Valli di Comacchio - and to the Municipality of Alfonsine, with its Nature Reserve and casa Monti, information centre of the Park.

Punte Alberete
It is the most important natural area of this territory, a charming biotope of great international value managed by the Park and by the Adv Arca di Ravenna. A flooded forest with ashes, elms, willows and poplars. This is an important habitat for several aquatic plants (water- and marsh-lilies) and animal species living in wet environments - fishes and reptiles, as well as several rare bird species: Ferruginous Duck, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron, Night Heron, Great and Little Bittern.

Valle Mandriole (or Valle della canna)
This fresh-water lagoon - strictly protected since some years - was part of the depositing site of the river Lamone, together with Punte Alberete. From the watch tower rising on the lagoon border, the landscape appears as a vast expanse of Reed and Bulrush beds alternating to some open areas.

Piallasse della Baiona and del Piombone
These are vast brackish lagoons linked to the sea by the Candiano ship-canal and crossed by a network of canals along which rise many typical fishing lodges.
The hills emerging from the water are peopled by beautiful halophytes (Salicornia, Limonium) and bird species (Black-winged Stilts, Avocets, Little Egrets, Herons).

San Vitale Pinewood
It is the vastest and most famous pinewood of the Park, dating back to the Roman age. Besides the dominant umbrella-shaped Stone Pine, the wood presents a number of tree species: Pedunculate oak, Poplar, Ash, Holm oak, Juniper and a thick undergrowth. The Pinewood is crossed by a flooded strip (the bassa del Pirottolo) with canes and reeds, halting place for Coots, Ducks and Little Egrets.
The Pinewood is easily accessible on foot, by bike and on horseback, along well-signposted paths.

The coast
The coast is characterised by some seaside resorts perfectly integrated to the Park and especially to the Pinewoods, dominated by the Maritime Pine: starting from the North, Casalborsetti, Marina Romea, Porto Corsini, Marina di Ravenna, Punta Marina, Lido Adriano. These resorts present excellent facilities and accommodation options, with restaurants, hotels, camping sites (with camper van areas) and houses to rent, open the whole year round.