| Mount Limbara | |
 | |
| State | Italy |
|---|---|
| Region | Sardinia |
| Territory | Sassari |
| Height | 1,362 m a.s.l. |
| Tourism site | |
Mount Limbara is a massif located in the Gallura, subregion of the Sardinia.
To know
Geographical notes
Monte Limbara is a mountain massif located in north-eastern Sardinia, in the center of the subregion of Gallura. This is a granite massif, characterized by modeled peaks and immersed in a landscape of dense cork forests and suggestive valleys and forests. The classic Gallura landscape, characterized by holm oaks and cork trees, is dominated by what is the mountain-southern border between the historical and geographical regions of Gallura and Logudoro. From a geological point of view, the territory is characterized by granite rocks, eroded by time in rather scenographic forms, dating back to the Paleozoic. The formation of the massif is due to the raising of the granite block of Gallura, which occurred during the Cenozoic era. The highest peaks of the massif are:
- Punta Balistreri: 1,362 meters;
- Punta Bandiera: 1,345 meters;
- Punta Berritta: 1,359 meters;
- Punta Giugantinu: 1,333 meters.
- Monte Niddòri: 1,237 meters;
- Monte Lu Scioccu: 1,215 meters;
- Monte Biancu: 1,150 meters;
- Monte Cano: 1,115 meters.
The territory of Mount Limbara is divided as follows:
- Tempio Pausania in the north-western side. Major point: Balistreri (1,362 m a.s.l.).
- Calangianus on the north-eastern side. Major peak: Bandiera (1,345 m a.s.l.).
- Oschiri on the south-west side (Balascia and San Leonardo localities).
- Berchidda throughout the southern side (excluding the part in the municipality of Oschiri). Major peak: Berritta (1,359 m a.s.l.).
Flora and fauna
Fauna
The fauna consists of mammals such as wild boar (Sus scrofa), fox (Vulpes vulpes), marten (Martes martes), weasel (Mustela nivalis), wild cat (Felis silvestris), Sardinian hare (Lepus capensis mediterraneus). ) and the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The fallow deer (Dama dama) and the mouflon (Ovis musimon) have been reintroduced by man. Among the birds there are the Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the buzzard (Buteo buteo), the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), the sparrow hawk (Accipiter nisus), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), the goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), the little owl (Athene noctua), the owl (Otus scops), the raven (Corvus corax), the hooded crow (Corvus cornix), the jay (Garrulus glandarius), the jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) and the blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius). In the areas clear of trees you can see the Sardinian partridge (Alectoris barbara), the woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), the lark (Alauda arvensis), the calender (Melanocorypha calandra), the thrush (Turdus philomelos), the tordela (Turdus viscivorus) ), the saltimpalo (Saxicola torquata), the red-headed shrike (Lanius senator), the greenfinch (Carduelis chloris), the goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), the blackbird (Turdus merula), the robin (Erithacus rubecula), the great tit (Parus major), the coal tit (Parus ater), the great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), the wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) and the Sardinian magnanina (Sylvia sarda). Among the reptiles and amphibians we should mention the Bedriaga lizard (Archaeolacerta bedriagae) the gongilo (Chalcides ocellatus), the grass snake (Natrix natrix), the snake snake (Natrix maura), the Sardinian euprotto (Euproctus platycephalus), the Sardinian discoglossus (Discoglossus sardus), the Sardinian tree frog (Hyla sarda), the green toad (Bufo viridis) and the Testudo marginata.
Flora
Of great importance on the Limbara is the flora rich in endemisms. The vegetation cover is uneven especially in relation to the altitude; on the peaks a low and bushy mantle prevails, while at low altitude the wood mantle stands out. Among the countless botanical species present on the mountain we would like to point out some of the most easily recognizable and others of significant scientific interest. The holm oak wood (Quercus Ilex L.) is easily recognizable: an evergreen tree that can reach 30 meters in height with dark green leathery leaves on the upper side and yellowish on the lower side. The fruit is an elongated acorn half wrapped in a dome. It blooms in the period from April to May. Often mixed with Holm oak we find the Ash (Fraxinus ornus L.): deciduous tree, can reach 15 meters in height, has lanceolate leaves and smooth bark, fragrant white flowers and wing-shaped fruit. Flowering occurs at the same time as foliation in the April-May period. Typical of the Mediterranean scrub and not difficult to identify are the lilac (Phyllirea Latifolia L.), which lives indifferently on different substrates and at different altitudes, is a small evergreen tree, with lobed leathery leaves and with a toothed margin, white flowers and fleshy fruit ( drupa) which when ripe takes on the black color, and Holly (Ilex Aquifolium L.): small evergreen tree with smooth gray-green bark and crown. The leaves vary in shape and margin, from thorny to smooth in the adult plant. The female flowers with white corolla are recognizable, from the male ones with red corolla admirable in the period between May-June. The fruit is a bright red drupe which ripens between August and September. It is an medicinal plant with a diuretic, antirheumatic and febrifuge effect. Along the perennial streams, in addition to the ash, the Alder (Alnus Glutinosa [1.] Gaerther) can be identified; medium-sized tree (up to 15 meters) with smooth deciduous leaves with serrated edges, with reddish-yellow pendulous male flowers and red-brown female inflorescences. Flowering occurs in March-April. The presence on the Limbara of the Yew {Taxus Baccata L.), which has now become a rare species on the island, is of significant scientific interest. Tree that reaches 20 meters in height with reddish brown bark that flakes off in thin strips. The leaves are arranged in two opposite rows but in the same direction (comb-like) with a glossy upper lamina. Fruit red aril fruiting August-September. Also of note is the Etna broom (Genista Aetnensis [Biv.] DC) which represents a Sardinian-Sicilian endemism. Deciduous tree with supple branches, intense yellow flowers of great visual impact admirable from June to August.
When to go
Numerous organized excursions and evocative landscapes and paths make Limbara a mountain that can be visited all year round except for the summer period, when the probability of arson and not is very high. The recommended period for excursions is spring (March-June), while between December and February it is recommended for those who love the typical winter holiday: on the Limbara there are frequent snowfalls.
Background
The name of the massif could derive from the name Limes Balares (border of the Balari), given to the area by the Romans, as it constituted the border line (Roman Limes) inside Sardinia between the region inhabited to the north by the Corsicans (the Gallura) and that inhabited by the Balari (Monteacuto and the eastern part of Logudoro). The slopes of Mount Limbara were hit by a fire in 1936, which destroyed its old woods, made up of cork oak (Quercus suber) and holm oak (Quercus ilex) trees. Subsequent interventions to restore the vegetation led to the planting of conifers, characterized by their rapid growth. For many years on the top of Limbara there was the headquarters of a NATO communications base (of which the old antennas of the ASST military communication system are still present), and of a carabinieri station. Currently there is a telecommunications base of the Air Force and the heliport of the Fire Prevention Service. The most important television repeaters in northern Sardinia are installed on the top. Near the Punta Balistreri there is the small church of the "Madonna della Neve".
Territories and tourist destinations
How to get
How to get around
What see
What to do
Shopping
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Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Mount Limbara
Commons contains images or other files on Mount Limbara
