Pollino Massif

The Pollino (Italian: Massiccio del Pollino) is a massif in the southern Apennines, on the border between Calabria and Basilicata, southern Italy. Since 1992 it is part of the Pollino National Park.

 

The main peaks are Monte Pollino 2,248 m (7,375 ft) and the massif's high point, Serra Dolcedorme 2,267 m (7,438 ft), which overlooks the plain of Sibari.

 

The highest area in the range, the Pollino is made of limestone, and therefore subject to erosion phenomena which have created, especially on the Calabrian side, numerous grottoes, such as the Romito ones, in which graffiti from Palaeolithic times have been found, and canyons, such as that created by the Raganello stream.

 

The Pollino is home to a flourishing fauna and vegetation. Especially in the highest quotes are present woods of chestnut, beech and the rare Bosnian Pine, which is the park's symbol; animal species include Italian Wolf, Eagle Owl, Roe Deer and the rare Golden Eagle.