The Great Maple of Monte Tranquillo

Through ancient forests and mountain legends, in the shadow of one of Italy’s most monumental trees. In the heart of Abruzzo - a region where nearly half the territory is protected by nature reserves - lies an extraordinary arboreal heritage: more than seventy monumental trees, true living symbols of a millennia-old history.

This itinerary takes us to discover the “patriarchs” of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park - majestic centuries-old trees that, like ancient guardians, preserve the memories, traditions, and legends of this land. Their presence plays a vital role in the forest ecosystem, offering shelter and essential resources to a vast array of animal species. Among these green giants are impressive specimens of oak, pine, fir, maple, and beech. The beech tree, in particular with its wide canopy and trunks often hollowed by time - creates an ideal habitat for wildlife: a winter refuge, a safe den, a nesting site, or a silent stage for ambushes, encounters, and mating rituals. But one of the most extraordinary encounters awaits at the foot of Monte Tranquillo, where a majestic centuries-old maple rises: standing about 30 meters tall with a trunk circumference of eight meters at the base, it is affectionately known as L’Acerone - the Great Maple.