Pigelleto Nature Reserve

The Pigelleto Natre Reserve is located to the south of Piancastagnaio, near the Amiata. Geographically, it can be found between Monte Amiata and Monte Civitella, in an area that divides the rivers Paglia and Fiora. This territory was once characterized by cinnabar mining, numerous traces of which remain.

Because the forest had to be cleared for mining, the vegetation has grown back spontaneously, particularly silver firs. This tree, locally known as “pigello,” is heavily present in the area, along with beech, oak, common hornbeam, European hop-hornbeam trees, maple and English yew trees. There are also various varieties of shrubs like deadly nightshade and viola etrusca.

The rich animal life in the forest includes many bird species, such as pale chanting goshawk, European green woodpecker and great spotted woodpecker, as well as mammals like martens, wolves, deer and wild boars.