The ancient 16th century tower built at the behest of Cardinal Flavio Orsini on a previous medieval building stands looking at the horizon, in memory of ancient times when, in the same position, it controlled the sea to catch sight of the Saracens.
All around here, the sand is warm and golden. The palm trees outline the beach and follow the waves created by the dunes. A man with a fishing rod spends the morning on the cliff, with a smile in his eyes. A couple does a Pilates workout with their eyes turned towards the sun. Groups of boys in blue T-shirts distribute a little joy and tidiness on this piece of coastline, because this pearl of the Lazio coast located in Ladispoli, north of Rome, is the first protected area to be cared for directly by children and young people.
Ph. Roberta Venditti
An area full of marshes and consequently an ideal habitat for many species of birds, which take advantage of the swamps to nest and cool themselves during migrations. The presence of so much water has allowed the development of vegetation typical of marshy areas: salicornia, sea barley, reed, water lily.
Ph. Roberta Venditti
Three huts well hidden among the shrubs and almost close to the road give to bird watching enthusiasts a chance to admire, in silence, the Kentish Plover, a protected species that nests right here in Tower Flavia, giving its name to the dunes that characterize the beach. Or the purple heron, the gray heron, the kestrel, the little egret, the mallard, the common teal and all the many birds that live between sea and marshes. The nutrias on the other hand run around happily in the sun on a meadow, indifferent to gazes.
Ph. Roberta Venditti
The Marsh of Tower Flavia is a treasure trove of biodiversity, which in 2014 even won an award as “Most beautiful oasis for bird watching”. An uncontaminated place, a refuge for those in search of air and freedom. Today it also represents a real open-air laboratory to find strategies aimed at protecting the environment and educating the new generations to respect nature.