Elevation 829 m Phone +39 015 256 3007 | Province Province of Biella | |
 | ||
Address Cascina Emilia, 13814 Pollone BI, Italy Similar Sanctuary of Oropa, Oasi Zegna, Sacro Monte di Oropa, Sacro Monte di Graglia, Sacro Monte di Andorno | ||
The Burcina Park “Felice Piacenza” Nature Reserve is a protected, wooded, about 57 hectares wide area. It was established in 1980 with a law of the Piedmont Region Government. It is located within the municipalities of Pollone and Biella. The Municipality of Biella owns almost three quarters of the whole surface.
Contents
- GeographyEdit
- ArchaeologyEdit
- Valley of rhododendrons imitation of natureEdit
- The garden parkEdit
- FaunaEdit
- References
The difference in altitude varies from 570 to 829 meters above sea level.
The reserve is situated on the Burcina hill, or bric (as locally called). It protects the natural, environmental and landscape characteristics of the area. More specifically, it supports and promotes scientific, cultural and educational activities, also involving schools.
GeographyEdit
The Burcina is a woody hill crossed by the border between the Municipality of Pollone and the Municipality of Biella. Its north-eastern slopes belong to the basin of the stream Oropa, while the south-western ones, where the park is situated, are in the area of the stream Oremo. A pass at 730 m a.s.l. connects the Bric with the rest of the Biellese Alps.
Considering its quite isolated position, the Burcina is well recognizable within the area.
ArchaeologyEdit
Some findings in the area of the park attest the presence of Homo sapiens about 35.000 years ago. On the Burcina hill there is also evidence of a protohistoric establishment dating back to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.
Valley of rhododendrons, imitation of natureEdit
From the Burcina Park you can enjoy a wide panorama from the morainic hill of Serra (Ivrea) to the plain of the Canavese area (Turin) until the rice paddies of the Vercellese territory.
The park has three foot entrances situated in the lower, middle and higher parts. It is known worldwide for its extraordinary valley of rhododendrons, covering two of the fifty-seven hectares of the park, that in the middle of May offers a unique floral display.
The garden parkEdit
The wood is the natural background of the park, whose top can be reached by means of a road leading to the Martini Tower. The garden was designed as informal in order to enhance its spectacular, natural features. The plants are only apparently organized in a random order, with the aim of imitating what happens in nature. The internal woods are combined with meadows and clearings, while huge trees raise isolated and majestic.
The exotic species have been integrated into the local flora, that includes the typical broadleaved plants of the Mediterranean area:
FaunaEdit
The Burcina Park is also interesting for its fauna, especially for birdwatchers.
Mammals living in the park are:
Birds migratory or nonmigratory: