Majella National Park: A Natural and Cultural Treasure in the Heart of Italy

One of the European Wilderness Network partner from Italy is Majella Wilderness.

The European Wilderness Network representing Europe’s last Wilderness, was founded in 2014 and has grown to now 40 members in 17 Countries with more than 350 000 ha of audited Wilderness.

Majella National Park, located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, is a stunning protected area that blends breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and deep historical significance. Covering approximately 74,000 hectares, the park is home to rugged mountain peaks, dense forests, and unique wildlife, making it one of Italy’s most ecologically and culturally valuable sites.  

Please also read: Italy’s wildest places in Majella Wilderness

A land steeped in history

Human presence in the Majella region dates back over 800,000 years, to the Paleolithic era, when early Homo erectus groups hunted large mammals and used flint from the area to craft tools. Archaeological discoveries at sites such as Valle Giumentina, Grotta degli Orsi, and Grotta del Colle reveal a long history of human adaptation to this mountainous environment.  

Over time, agriculture and pastoralism became dominant, shaping the landscape and way of life in the region. The park is dotted with ancient dry-stone shepherd huts known as tholos, similar in design to Sardinian nuraghe. The medieval period saw the rise of monastic settlements and hermitages, including San Clemente a Casauria, San Liberatore in Majella, Santo Spirito in Majella, and San Bartolomeo in Legio. These religious sites served as places of meditation and refuge for monks, including Pope Celestine V, who lived in seclusion in the Majella mountains before becoming pope.  

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the isolated terrain of Majella became a hideout for bandits and rebels, leaving behind historical engravings such as the Tavola dei Briganti, a rock inscription recording their presence.  

Majella National Park is also home to beautifully preserved ancient villages such as Caramanico Terme, Pacentro, Salle, Tocco da Casauria, and Guardiagrele, where medieval castles, Romanesque churches, and Renaissance palaces showcase the region’s architectural heritage.  

A Biodiversity Hotspot

Majella National Park is one of Italy’s most biologically diverse areas, home to over 2,300 plant species, representing 70% of the flora of Abruzzo and nearly 25% of Italy’s entire plant diversity. Many of these species are rare or endemic, such as the Majella Aquilegia, the Majella Radicchiella, and the Majella Cornflower. The park also supports relic species from the Ice Age, such as the Alpine Poppy and Alpine Aster.  

The park’s forests cover more than half of its territory, with dominant species including beech, oak, black pine, and juniper. Beech forests alone account for almost 30% of the park’s area, while subalpine shrublands extend to 2,400 meters above sea level. Despite centuries of deforestation, conservation efforts have allowed the forests to regenerate, creating a healthier ecosystem.  

A sanctuary for wildlife

Majella National Park is home to 45% of Italy’s animal species, including some of the country’s rarest and most iconic wildlife. The Apennine wolf, the park’s symbolic species, thrives in the area, with 10 stable packs hunting deer, wild boar, and smaller mammals. The Apennine chamois, once nearly extinct, now boasts a healthy population of over 1,300 individuals, thanks to reintroduction efforts. 

Other mammals found in the park include wild cats, martens, red deer, and roe deer. The area also supports rare amphibians such as the Apennine salamander and Savi’s salamander.  

Majella’s rugged cliffs and high-altitude meadows provide habitat for important bird species, including the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, alpine chough, and the rare lanner falcon. The park’s forests are home to Dalmatian woodpeckers, goshawks, and European honey buzzards.  

Please also read: Majella Wilderness – New Publication!

Unique landscapes and habitats

The park’s diverse ecosystems range from dense woodlands to alpine meadows and dramatic limestone cliffs. The Orta, Orfento, and Lavino rivers provide crucial water sources for wildlife, while the park’s over 100 caves offer refuge to specialized species, including several bat populations.  

The high-altitude prairies, covering nearly 30% of the park, are home to rare plants and grazing herbivores. These open spaces, combined with the park’s vast forests and rocky slopes, create a mosaic of habitats essential for biodiversity conservation.  

Conservation and sustainable management  

Majella National Park plays a key role in the Natura 2000 network, which protects Europe’s most valuable ecosystems. Efforts to restore forests, regulate grazing, and prevent wildfires have helped preserve the park’s delicate balance.  

Sustainable tourism is also a priority, with visitor centers, educational programs, and hiking trails designed to promote environmental awareness while minimizing human impact. The park’s conservation policies focus on maintaining natural habitats, supporting biodiversity, and preserving its rich cultural heritage.  

Majella National Park is more than just a protected area—it is a living museum of nature and history. From ancient human settlements and medieval monasteries to breathtaking landscapes and rare wildlife, the park offers a unique glimpse into the deep connection between nature and human civilization.

WILDArt in Majella

WILDArt 2019 took place in Majella National Park, one of Europe’s wildest landscapes and a member of the European Wilderness Network. Over a week, artists from the U.S., Ukraine, and Germany immersed themselves in the untamed beauty of Majella’s deep forests, rugged mountains, and hidden valleys. 

Hiking through remote areas, the artists found inspiration in Majella’s wilderness—its ancient forests, dramatic cliffs, and the sense of solitude that defines true wild nature. Their experiences transformed into paintings, photographs, poems, and stories, capturing the park’s raw beauty and the importance of its protection.

European Wilderness Network

The main aim of the European Wilderness Network is a unified approach to Wilderness Stewardship and the representation of Wilderness and its challenges internationally and within the European Union. All Wilderness, WILDCoasts, WILDForests, WILDIslands, and WILDRivers, in the European Wilderness Network are unique and represent the best and wildest places in Europe.

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