Tombolo di Cecina Nature Reserve
Sumptuous coastal area
The Tombolo di Cecina Nature Reserve is a stretch of land covering about 220 hectares, located in the heart of the Etruscan Coast. The reserve is characterized by its presence of both coastal and inland environments. In fact, it includes a large part of the beach area between Marina di Cecina and Vada, as well as an area of coastal dunes, pinewoods and Mediterranean maquis.
Natural characteristics
The tombolo (a narrow strip of land that joins an island to the mainland or connects two islands) is formed by a series of sandy ridges, which were originally formed by currents in an alluvial plain. This plain was created as a result of deposits from rivers and streams, combined with sedimentation from nearby underwater springs, which have built up over thousands of years. The reserve also includes a marshland area fed by freshwater from the mountains, which flows into canals on its way to the sea.
Flamingos love it
The territory offers many naturalistic paths for birdwatchers and nature lovers. From the beach to the pinewoods, you can see various species of birds and animals, including protected ones such as peregrine falcon, merlin, kestrel, common buzzard and even flamingo. The fauna includes many amphibians like frogs and toads, reptiles like lizards and turtles and mammals like porcupines, weasels and foxes. The park is also home to a large number of protected plant species: among these are sea daffodil, white poplar and yarrow (which has been included in the Red List since 1998). There is typical Mediterranean vegetation that`s represented by juniper, dwarf palm trees, mastic trees, cork trees, Aleppo pines and holm oaks.
The area is also of archaeological interest
There are remains dating back to the Iron Age (the ancient fortified village of Castel Tonda), the Roman period (the ruins of Vada Volterrana) and Medieval times (the tower at Vada). There are also many archaeological finds that date back to the Middle Ages. You can see “Tomboli” (sand dunes with a characteristic shape), below which Etruscans built some tombs.
