SHARRYLAND
The Doganella marshes
Where the four elements unite, wild horses rest and the croaking of frogs accompany the traveler
Where is
What it is and where it is
A precious strip of land where land, sky and water forget their natural boundaries and mingle in an almost magical landscape. This is one of the reasons why the Doganella marshes are a wetland site of community interest. We are in the Castelli Romani Regional Natural Park, within the ancient Latium Volcano, whose fire is now extinguished.
Why it is special
These marshes are in fact a small collection of temporary water that in the rainy season reaches up to a meter high in some places and in summer dries up almost completely, leaving only a hidden puddle within a delightful grove. Here, nature is allowed to flow at her own pace, and she gives a rich and underrepresented habitat in hilly elevations in the Lazio region. A situation increasingly rare in nature because of the encroaching presence of man.
Not to be missed
The changing seasons bring new emotions each time. The meadows surrounding the marsh, for example, host from spring to autumn a large herd of wild horses that make the scenery almost poetic. In the colder months, however, the puddles turn into a great expanse of ice where nature seems to rest asleep, waiting for spring. And when it arrives, between April and May, the blossoming of water buttercups transforms the puddles into carpets of white flowers, complemented by the blooming of daffodils. A breathtaking spectacle!
A bit of history
Since prehistoric times, Lake Doganella has existed here and was larger in size than documented until the beginning of the last century. In the 1930s, the lake was drained by hydraulic reclamation and its waters used for human use in the surrounding municipalities. Traces of human presence in antiquity were found during the early 1960s: the tomb of a princess who lived three thousand years ago was discovered near the lake.
Curiosity
Who knows, maybe some prince forced into the shoes of a toad still frequents the place. In fact, every year the road is transfenced to allow toads to cross it safely. If this is not princely treatment! It is actually a strategy to protect the many species of amphibians that choose the marshes as their breeding grounds, some of them protected and endangered. That's why in late winter park staff, together with volunteers and associations, prepare the famous barriers that allow the amphibians to reach the marsh quietly.
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