The coastal Dunes Park of Ostuni

A journey to discover fascinating natural area set between the wonders of High Salento. It is regional natural Park of the coastal Dunes, in the province of Brindisi, between the towns of Ostuni and Fasano.

The park, which occupies an area of about one thousand hectares and extends over 6 km of coastline, preserves a marine and coastal habitats of the value and importance of being included in 'priority habitats', a project promoted on the basis of a directive EU, aims to protect the environments of particular relevance in terms of safeguarding ecosystems. This nature reserve, in fact, was created in 2006 to preserve both its share of vegetation, including rare dunes covered with juniper and oak details of the Mediterranean, as its wetlands, represented by the Big River, Little River and Morello River, often used as 'refreshment' for migratory waterfowl.

It is in this context of natural beauty that mullet and eels find their natural habitat, directly from the sea through a system of locks, and growing in this ancient system, while respecting the environment. All framed by sandy beaches clear, topped by a long dunes. In this regard, thanks to the dunes formed thousands of years ago, there was a stagnation of water and a consequent increase in coastal aquifer can form a beautiful pond, now unfortunately only partially reclaimed. From small ponds nearby, however, at certain times of year you can see unique shows such as the passage of rare birds: from the heron to spatula, until the Knight of Italy.

The rich landscape of the park, however, lies also in its antiquity, witnessed by both aquaculture systems made of masonry dating back more than a century ago that still surround the waters of the place, which closed by regulating the level of waters of the lakes themselves. Not least, we must include the evocative wilderness of olive trees that frame the entire Park is splendid coastal dunes.

So, to give us a first breath of summer, to enjoy the smells and colors of green Mediterranean bush, to immerse ourselves in peaceful undersea life need not go so far off. The regional natural Park of coastal Dunes, near the beautiful "White City" of Ostuni, is all this and more.

R. C.