Faito Forest: one of the last patches of a vanishing environment

There were once the Forests of Plain. This seems to be a title that belongs to the world of fairy tales but, this is not the case, plain forests really existed and prospered everywhere.
Bosco Faito (Faito Forest) is a testimony to this extraordinary environment that has almost completely disappeared today, it being one of the last, sporadic forest of the plains present throughout the country. Botanic relics and a jewel of the natural heritage of Ceccano.
It covers a territory of just over 300 hectares with quite different morphology characterized by flat areas, small reliefs by slopes more or less steep and narrow channels fed by surface waterfalls. Moreover, its proximity to the Sacco and Cosa rivers determines those conditions of discrete humidity of the soil and the atmosphere to allow for the presence of a rich genetic variety in the environment where 'emerges' the presence of the Beech (Fagus sylvatica) but also the significant presence of the mixed oak varieties, which includes 5 specific species of oaks including the Farnetto (Quercus Frainetto), preferring, as is customary, the peninsular areas of Italy. There are numerous botanical species present, including spectacular spring blooms, particularly snowdrops, Anemone and Primrose.
The animals that inhabit the woods are noteworthy species, which are of particular interest because they play the function of environmental indicators, being sensitive to every minimal transformation of the environment of the area. Among these are the Dalmatian Frog, Polixena butterfly, Lodolai Falcon, as well as numerous species of orchids. Among the most common animals you can observe there are the badger, the hedgehog, the fox, the buzzard, the green woodpecker, the great spotted woodpecker, the Saette (snake), the green whip snake, and the Orbettino snake.
Faito Forest is also remembered in history for hosting a preparatory meeting between Counts of Ceccano, their allies and Nogaret planning the assault on Pope Boniface VIII in a locality known as "Pietra del Mal Consiglio, or Pietra Rea" Anagni in 1303.
The forest was owned by the municipality until 1939 when it was sold to the Bomprini Parodi Delfino company for its construction, on about 80 hectares, of a explosive powder store, which is now completely abandoned.
Since 2009 it has been designated a Natural Monument, thus becoming part of the protected natural areas of the region.
 
For more in-depth information, we suggest reading::

• Pesce P.(a cura di) 2006.  Bosco Faito – Conoscerlo con un colpo d'occhio, Dialogo con il “Vecchio Faggio”- Centro Studi Tolerus – Ambiente e Terriotio, Ceccano (Fr)


• Fusacchia P. - Pesce. P 2002. Territorio Vivente – Ambiente Flora e Fauna – Comune di Ceccano (Fr)

For more info and guided tours:
Centro Studi Tolerus
Via stazione, 4 – 03023 Ceccano (Fr) www.tolerus.it – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Written by Pasquale Pesce, Paolo Fusacchia, Giovanni Pizzuti