One of the most recent Italian sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. One of the few Italian natural sites in the list – “The Evaporitic Karst and Caves of the Northern Apennines”, also known as the “Gessi of Emilia Romagna”. This site is a serial property, comprising multiple locations united by their geological formation: an epigenic gypsum karst terrain. In geological terms, “epigenic” denotes a formation resulting from processes subsequent to those of the rock of which they are part. Remarkably well-preserved and extensive, this area is unparalleled on a global scale.
What sets this region apart is its role as a unique repository that gathers, protects, documents, and shares with scientists worldwide the array of karst forms and phenomena that unfold in evaporites within subtropical-humid climates. The decisive factors contributing to this achievement include the morphological evolution of the landscape and the exclusive presence of numerous animal and plant species, rendering the area truly one-of-a-kind globally.
Over 900 Caves and 100 km in total
Featuring a remarkable tally of over 900 caves covering a total expanse of more than 100 kilometers, the Evaporitic Karst and Caves of the Northern Apennines boast an extraordinary density of caves within a relatively compact area. This site holds the distinction of being the first and the best studied evaporitic karst in the world, with academic work dating back as early as the 16th century. Notably, it encompasses some of the deepest gypsum caves globally, plunging to depths of 265 meters below the surface.
Comprising a total of nine sites situated in Emilia Romagna across the provinces of Reggio Emilia, Bologna, Rimini, and Ravenna, these include the Vena del Gesso Romagnola (at three distinct locations: Mount Penzola, Mount Casino, and Mount Mauro), the Bolognese Gessi, the Gessi of Zola Predosa, the Evaporites of San Leo, the Cave of Onferno, the Upper Secchia Valley, and the Lower Reggiana Hill. However, of the 900 caves constituting the UNESCO site, only five are accessible to visitors, and solely as part of guided groups, through reservation, and without the use of artificial lighting. A stringent approach aiming at the preservation and safeguarding of the Evaporitic Karst and Caves of the Northern Apennines.
The area is notably rich in evaporite deposits, holding particular significance for the study of the disintegration of the supercontinent Pangea, which occurred approximately 200 million years ago, and the closure of the Strait of Gibraltar, an event dating back around 5 million years.
Upper Triassic Gypsum
The gypsum deposits trace their origins to the Upper Triassic period, spanning approximately 229 to 200 million years ago. Their formation is attributed to the chemical activity exerted by water on the rocks, a process known as karst. In this instance, the salts accumulated in marine lagoon environments through phases of evaporation during hot periods, giving rise to the name “evaporites.” Remarkably, these rocks surface on a mere 1% of the Italian territory and commonly exhibit a white hue, though variations such as light grey, orange, and pink can also be observed.
The distinctive shapes delineated by the stratifications result from gradual tectonic movements that have unfolded over millennia. Despite Emilia Romagna being considered the least endowed Italian region in terms of karst areas, the evaporites found here stand out due to their geological nature and the morphological evolution of the landscape. This evolution has, in turn, contributed to the preservation and isolation of numerous animal and plant species unique to the area, rendering it unparalleled on a global scale.
Sixth UNESCO Natural Site
The UNESCO list features a remarkable total of 59 Italian sites, establishing a world record. Among these, the gypsum formations of Emilia Romagna proudly stand as the sixth Italian natural site to be accorded the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage status.
The distinguished company of other Italian natural wonders includes the Aeolian Islands and Mount Etna in Sicily, Mount San Giorgio situated between Italy and Switzerland, and the Dolomites in the Eastern Alps. Additionally, there’s another transboundary site, shared with other European countries, known as the “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe”. These forests are renowned for their continuous development, originating at the conclusion of the last ice age, and are located in the Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna, Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise.
