Surface area: 14.000 hectares
Population: 2,5 millions residents

Managing entity: Ente Regionale per la Gestione del Sistema delle Aree Naturali Protette nel Comune di Roma

Rome possesses a unique territorial heritage that is still remarkably free from urban development. Further to the adoption of the "Piano delle Certezze" ("Plan of Certainties") in May 1997, 64% of the common land (equalling 80,000 on a total of 129,000 hectares) are now subject to very strict regulations for the protection of the environment.

RomaNatura, founded in 1997, is a Regional Authority for the management of a system of 14 (forteen) Protected Natural Areas within the municipal district of Rome. Most of them are rural areas belonging to the "Agro Romano", a typical cultural landscape of the Region. The RomaNatura system is strictly connected to other inside and outside green areas, forming an ecological net whit the 69 protected areas of Latium Region.

RomaNatura has been put in charge of 14,000 hectares, which is more or less the area covered by the entire city of Bologna. The Royal Parks Constabulary of London manages little more than 2,500 hectares of land.

Natural heritage

The Protected Natural Areas managed by RomaNatura can offer a treasure composed of a number of ecological havens providing a natural habitat for over 1.000 different species of plants, 5.000 species of insects and a further 150 species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.

A park touched by history

Archaeological stately homes, historical monuments, villas, medieval towers and castles are only a part of the unique heritage of this protected territory, still free from urban development. Between the most attractive sites, there is the ghost medieval town of Galeria Antica whose ruins are covered with a thick vegetation.

Main activities

The main activities of RomaNatura are: the compilation of the reorganization plans and of regulations the promotion of cultural activities involving science, education and tourism and any other compatible production activities the issuing of critical reports and permits authorising interventions to be carried out the carrying out of environmental surveillance activities the management of services provided in protected areas.