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World video travel guide
The Rosandra Valley, a natural and historical heritage
Trieste’s Karst, a peculiar and characteristic natural environment, encompasses a very special valley of great natural importance, because it represents an exception compared to its context: the Rosandra Valley – Dolina Glinščice. Here the only source of overland water of Trieste’s Karst flows, the Rosandra – Glinščica stream, the rest of this area is in fact characterised by not possessing a hydrographical overland network but only an underground one. Another peculiarity of this valley is the rapid change from a continental sub-Alpine climate to a Mediterranean one. The climatic and thermal differences enrich the Rosandra Valley with microclimates, therefore consequently enriching it with peculiar flora and fauna. In particular the richness of water determines the presence of the country’s largest population of reptiles and amphibians. Also over 130 species of birds have been sighted, of which approximately 70 nest. Among these most recent sightings was a couple of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) seen making a nest. Also many species of mammals such as deer, chamois, foxes, hares, squirrels, dormice, lynxes, stoats and Etruscan shrews.
These natural characteristics are not the only reason of interest: the valley is also rich in elements of archaeological and paleontological interest, such as the Bear Cave dating back to prehistoric times, and of historical, religious and social interest. The Rosandra Valley has always been frequented by locals who naturally have left their signs over time. The Roman Aqueduct, the supply source for the city of Tergeste in the 1st century, the 16th-century church of S. Maria in Siaris and its ancient entrance lane, the two characteristic windmills at the entrance of the valley and in the historic village of Bottazzo. A last reason but no means least for a visit to the valley is to practice sports ranging from simple hiking to horse riding, and above all the interesting activities of potholing and mountaineering.
The Rosandra Valley was declared a Regional Nature Reserve in 1996 and is also a Site of Community Importance. The Reserve also possesses a Visitor Centre at Bagnoli Della Rosandra, where it is possible to follow an in-depth itinerary of the historical and natural themes. The facility comprises dioramas, photos and films that help visitors grasp a complete perspective of the Rosandra Valley.
Today there is also a new opportunity to discover the area departing from the centre of Trieste, from one of its most characteristic neighbourhoods. The “Giordano Cottur” Cycle-Pedestrian route links the neighbourhood of San Giacomo (Via Orlandini) to the Rosandra Valley following the old “Istriana” railway - in use from 1887 to 1959 - which left from Trieste to reach Pula. The 12km route is part of the Alpe Adria interregional network of cycle tracks.
