Good news for nature lovers: the WWF oasis of the Astroni has reopened its doors to the public, after the fire in July 2017 and the windstorm of October 2018, which had caused so much damage to the area. In addition, from 10 March until 10 November 2019 the exhibition "Dinosaurs in flesh and blood" is set up in the oasis, which includes the display of life-size reconstructions of about forty of these prehistoric animals, spread over 6 km of paths in nature. Let's take a step back: the Natural Reserve WWF Cratere degli Astroni (this is the full and official name) is located within a Site of Community Importance in the Municipalities of Pozzuoli and Naples. The Crater of the Astroni is an extinct volcano that is part of the more complex crater of Agnano, inserted in the volcanic area of the Campi Flegrei. The bottom of the Cratere degli Astroni presents some reliefs including the Colle dell'Imperatore and the Colle della Rotondella that were formed following the eruptive activity. At the lowest point of the crater there are three lakes, Lago Grande, Cofaniello Piccolo and Cofaniello Grande, with typical vegetation of the lake areas (reeds, rushes, cattails and willows). After centuries of various vicissitudes, during which they also became a hunting reserve of the Bourbon kings, in 1970 the Astroni were purchased by the Campania Region and in 1987 the Ministry of the Environment established the Cratere degli Astroni Nature Reserve, but only in 1990 was the agreement between the WWF, the Campania Region, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with which the management of the entire area was entrusted to WWF Italy. In 1992, therefore, the Oasis was officially opened to the public. Numerous study and research activities are carried out in the Oasi degli Astroni by the relevant bodies such as universities, CNR, INGV etc. For info on these and all other activities and opening hours, the reference websites are: https://crateredegliastroni.org/ and https://www.wwf.it/oasi/campania/cratere_degli_astroni/. Useful information for seated warriors: the site has a wide, gently sloping avenue that allows you to descend to the bottom of the crater; the paths are quite easy in a wheelchair, as well as the walkways that lead to the bird observation points on the ponds. The toilets, also for the disabled, are located at the entrance; in the square in front you can park your car, which for us is the only way to reach the oasis (ring road exit Agnano). Let's start with some images, from the entrance:
The explanatory signs by the WWF are numerous and exhaustive:
And this is the Lago Grande:
We conclude the images with a spectacular view from the top of the crater, taken from the website:
For lunch, we suggest that you take your car back to the area of Pozzuoli and Bacoli; in our two posts on the Phlegraean Fields you will find several indications of accessible restaurants.