The Regional Park of “Selva di Meana” stretches out over an area of around 3,000 hectares and includes the towns of Allerona and Castel Viscardo. The taerritory consists almost exclusively of woods and ranges from the Mediterranean maquis to deciduous woods, oaks and with a wealth of wild orchids.The area centers on the course of the River Paglia and its affluents, a vital artery in the system, where freshwater crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), the dipper (Cinclus cinclus) and the European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis) can still be found.
The hidden jewel in the center of the Park is the sp lendid Villa Cahen, built in 1904 for the family of the Cahen bankers, in art nouveau style, surrounded by greenhouses and theme gardens. The villa is used as a study center by the Forestry Department as well as a center for university training in environmental subjects.
It is to be noted that the area of Selva di Meana together with the adjacent Regional Park of Monte Rufeno (in Lazio) will soon form a single large inter-regional Park.
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