South-west of Pistoia stretches Italy`s largest internal marshy area: Fucecchio Marshes nature reserve.

The reserve covers an almost triangular area of about 1,800 hectares in the provinces of Florence and Pistoia and represents what remains of a large lake that stretched over southern Val di Nievole.

Fucecchio marshes are mentioned in history books in relation to the Punic Wars (it is from that strip of land that Hannibal passed with his army), were studied by Leonardo da Vinci and under the Medici and Lorraine dynasties underwent important reclamation works.

During the year about 190 species of birds live in the nature reserve, including the stilt plover, the common waxbill and the ferruginous duck. The marshy region is also an ideal natural habitat for many plants, including carnivorous plants, various species of fern and sphagnum, and so on.

And then there are the many traces left by man in the course of the centuries: irrigation channels lined with neat rows of trees, small abandoned fisher houses, and the Cappiano bridge, built by order of Cosimo de` Medici in the first half of the 16th century (as two plaques testify) with the purpose of harnessing the flow of the Usciana river, which is the sole outlet of the marshy area.

So if for your vacations you have rented a villa in Tuscany near Fucecchio Marshes nature reserve, take a pair of comfortable trekking shoes, a telescope and camera with you. Birdwatching experiences, horseback excursions and many other activities are waiting for you...