South Tyrol features a total of eight nature parks plus one national park, fairly large areas aimed at preserving diversity in species of the local flora and fauna. One of these protected areas extends on the Alpe di Siusi: the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park. Located in the western South Tyrolean Dolomites, the nature park covers an area of 7,291 hectares and includes the municipalities of Castelrotto, Tires and Fiè allo Sciliar. Together with the landscape conservation area Alpe di Siusi it forms one large protected area.

At its heart, there is the Sciliar, a massif typical to the western Dolomites which has become the emblem of South Tyrol. The Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park also includes the well-known Ciamin valley near Tires and, since 2003, the legendary Catinaccio massif, backdrop of the legend of King Laurin and his rose garden. Thanks to the special geological conditions, the park features an outstanding flora and fauna. There is also a little pond in the oldest nature park of South Tyrol - established in 1974 - which is known as the Pond of Fiè, particularly popular in summer months. By the way: due to the special geology and beauty of the Dolomites, they have been declared Natural World Heritage site in June 2009.

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