Furlo pass is located on the ancient Roman road via Flaminia in the Italian region Marche. This road once connected the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas. The gorge itself, formed by the waters of the river Candigliano, a tributary of the Metauro, between the Pietralata (889 m) and Paganucci (976 m), from 2001-the year is included in the territory of the nature reserve.
By order of the Roman Emperor Vespasian here was broken through the tunnel to facilitate the passage of the via Flaminia at the narrowest part of the gorge. Here, by the way, there was his name, - the Latin word "foruum" means "little hole". Near Furlo is another similar, but smaller passage made in the times of the Etruscans.
The Furlo tunnel has 38, 3 meters in length and 5, 95 meters in height. During the Gothic wars in the 6th century ostrogothic king Totila ordered to strengthen the pass, but his troops were driven out by the Roman General Belisarius. Between 570 and 578 year the passage was conquered by the Lombards, who destroyed the fortifications.
In 1930, the year on the slopes of mount Pietralata was cut profile of the Italian ruler Benito Mussolini, who later, during the Second World war, was destroyed by the partisans. And in 1980-ies of the car traffic in the gorge of Furlo was blocked by the construction of two high-speed tunnels.
As for the nature reserve of GOLA di Furlo", located in the province of Pesaro 35 km from Fano, is a real Paradise for lovers of wildlife and fans of active recreation. On its territory there is the trace of activities of the Etruscans and Romans – a massive defensive wall, built of stone and tunnels. The landscape of the reserve is very impressive and picturesque. The slopes of the mountains Pietralata and Paganucci like "licked" by the waters of the river Candigliano, rise thousands of feet above a small lake with greenish water and the Furlo gorge, creating one of the most attractive landscapes of Central Italy. Near the above-mentioned tunnel is ancient Abbey of San Vincenzo, also known as Peter Pertusa, it was built in the 9th century. A little further is the more modern temple Belingo, built in 1820, the year.
In the reserve there are two settlements, through which all trails. One of them is Aqualuna, a small town with 4 thousand inhabitants, famous for its truffles – the most valuable in Italy. They are mined here since time immemorial – to date, about 2/3 of truffles produced in Italy, falls on Aqualani. In addition, in and around the city worth a visit so-called fortress Cantillano – long viaduct, Dating from the era of Ancient Rome, the ruins of the ancient road of the via Flaminia and the same tunnel, built by the Emperor Vespasian in the 76th ad
The second interesting city of Fossombrone. It lies between the plain and the hills in the valley of the river Metauro. On top of the hill of Sant Ildebrando ruins of the fortress of the Malatesta, and just below them there Cittadella – the heart of the modern city with its splendid ancient palaces, churches with bell towers and huge Corte Alta dei Montefeltro.
Throughout the territory of the reserve "GOLA di Furlo" there are many Hiking trails, introducing the history, culture and natural wealth of these places. During the trip you can also visit the surrounding towns of Apecchio, cagli, Cantiano and Piobbico, retaining the intimate atmosphere of the past.
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