The Euganean Hills in northern Italy have been included in the list of World Natural Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves by the Unesco, announced the governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, this Friday (5).
The place is famous for having inspired the English romantic poet Percy Shelley to write one of his most evocative poems, “Lines Written among the Euganean Hills”.
“It’s a great day for our Euganei Hills. Today, they have gained recognition from UNESCO and have been included in the List of World Biodiversity Reserves,” said Zaia.
According to the governor, recognition is given to places with “sustainable economic, social and cultural development” and that respect the “ecosystem and biodiversity”.
The UNESCO Intergovernmental Council met in Agadir, Morocco, and unanimously decided to list the hills.
The “Colli Euganei”, as they are known in Italian, are a group of 81 volcanic hills in the Padana Plain – also called the Po Valley –, in the province of Padua, which vary from 300 to 600 meters in height.
The site includes Monte Venda, the highest hill in the region, as well as thermal centers and a lush agricultural plain with numerous olive plantations and vineyards.
Veneto has 18 UNESCO recognitions, a national record, with nine sites classified as intangible heritage, five as intangible and four as reserves. (HANDLE)
