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From belvedere di Punta Caruso at Forio, between secular olive trees (Olea europaea), carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua), broom trees and myrtles (Myrtus communis), it is possible to reach on foot Lacco Ameno  passing through one of the most panoramic woods of the island: Zaro. The path starts at the belvedere recently dedicated to Saint Josemaria Escrivà, founder of Opus Dei, flanking Villa Gancia, a construction of the fifties with a splendid exotic garden, continue towards Zaro’s rock flow. It was created during the last period of volcanic activity (inferior to 10,000 years ago) together with the hills by this area. Continuing on the path, people find a tree-lined avenue leading to the holm oak wood (Quercus ilex) of Zaro: an example of the reason why the island is also known as the “green island”. Refined habitations like La Mortella Gardens and Villa La Colombaia, which was owned by the film director Luchino Visconti, are inserted in the luxuriant Mediterranean flora. A part of the wood has become since 1994 the destination of peregrines because of the presumed apparitions of the Virgin Mary, who is called the Madonna of Zaro. The municipality of Lacco Ameno, which is near the San Montano Bay, is reachable at the end of the wood through a paved road.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)