The Gran Paradiso National Park
by Stefano Camanni

Covering over 70,000 hectares of highlands between Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta, Gran Paradiso is the oldest and largest national park in Italy. Its history is closely connected to the protection of mountain goats (capra ibex ibex), that were thus saved from extinction.
As early as 1856, king Vittorio Emanuele II declared this territory «Royal Hunting Preserve,â» and in 1920 king Vittorio Emanuele III donated it to the Italian State. Two years later the Park was founded. Half of the Park is in Canavese (NW Piedmont).
The park derives its name from Mount Gran Paradiso (the only 4,000-metre mountain entirely on Italian territory) and houses all kinds of Alpine environment: pastures, glaciers, rocks, pine forests, woods, and cultivated lands.
The very symbol of the Park, ibex is rather confident and easy to spot, whereas chamois is more elusive. Rock whistlers can also be seen. Birds feature the golden eagle, smaller predators and more common varieties. Newcomers include the ossifrage, bobcat, and wolf. Protected lands do not consist of wilderness only.
Deserted villages and cottages witness to the long history of local sheep farming, a tradition on the way of being revived according to criteria of sustainable development. Visiting the Park means walking along miles of well-kept paths. This summer, as usual, the park authorities will organise activities for tourists and residents: guided tours, films, wildlife theme games for children, and more.

For further information, contact:
Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso  - Via della Rocca, 47 10123 Torino
Tel +39 011 8606211 fax +39 011 8121305
e-mail turistico@pngp.it