The
Sirente-Velino Park was created by the Region of Abruzzo in 1989. Its territory borders on
Lazio to the west, on the
Plain of Fucino to the south and on the river Aterno to the north. It includes Monte
Velino, whose 2,468 metres make it the Apennines third highest peak, and the massif of
Sirente, which is formed by a single almost straight ridge of about 20 kms and whose
topmost peak, called Monte Sirente, is 2,348 mts high.
Though
the Velino and Sirente are divided by the fault bounding the Altopiano delle Rocche, they
show the same geological and tectonic
structure. According to Dionysius of Halicarnassous, the
name "Velino" comes from the Greek word Hetos, which means "swamp".
Though its present barren aspect makes it impossible to believe , at the beginning of the
Quaternary period the massif contained a series of high altitude lakes, whose traces give
the landscape an enchanting look. The karst phenomena are especially noticeable
here. They
produced the Grotte di Stiffe, in the district of S. Demetrio ne' Vestini. An underground
river, lei by the sink-holes water of the karst plateau of the Rocche, runs across the
caves. Inside you can admire several small lakes and falls up to 20 metres high. In the
various sections of the caves, besides the stalactites and stalagmites, you can enjoy the
marvellous visual and sound-effects produced by the water. Outside you can admire the
falls created by the water flowing out from the caves. Guided tours to the Grotte di
Stiffe, by the L'Aquila Spelaeological Group, are available every day in July and
August,
but only on Saturday and Sunday in the rest of the year.
Lazio to the west, on the
Plain of Fucino to the south and on the river Aterno to the north. It includes Monte
Velino, whose 2,468 metres make it the Apennines third highest peak, and the massif of
Sirente, which is formed by a single almost straight ridge of about 20 kms and whose
topmost peak, called Monte Sirente, is 2,348 mts high.
gical and tectonic
structure. According to Dionysius of Halicarnassous, the
name "Velino" comes from the Greek word Hetos, which means "swamp".
Though its present barren aspect makes it impossible to believe , at the beginning of the
Quaternary period the massif contained a series of high altitude lakes, whose traces give
the landscape an enchanting look. The karst phenomena are especially noticeable
here. They
produced the Grotte di Stiffe, in the district of S. Demetrio ne' Vestini. An underground
river, lei by the sink-holes water of the karst plateau of the Rocche, runs across the
caves. Inside you can admire several small lakes and falls up to 20 metres high. In the
various sections of the caves, besides the stalactites and stalagmites, you can enjoy the
marvellous visual and sound-effects produced by the water. Outside you can admire the
falls created by the water flowing out from the caves. Guided tours to the Grotte di
Stiffe, by the L'Aquila Spelaeological Group, are available every day in July and
August,
but only on Saturday and Sunday in the rest of the year.