Just let me give some advice to those who would like to have a deeper knowledge of this wetland in our region.

The environment: The Fucecchio Marshes have not received a complete protection of their wetlands yet, even though there are some natural reserves and respective neighbouring areas in them worthy of respect. That means that you can reach many areas of them where a large number of animal species living there, usually build their nests, reproduce or stay. Therefore, you need to pay much attention not to causing damage in any way to the natural environment, which has already been put enough in danger, in order not to disturb the fauna. It is warmly advisable that you should come and see these inland lands only on foot and horseback or by bicycle and in small groups, so as not to make motor vehicles enter, which can be left outside such areas. Also on foot, you are likely to have enough time to see wide areas in a whole morning.

Private property: The Fucecchio Marshes are a real mosaic of private properties, the boundaries of which are not always shown by signs, letting us think that everybody may walk everywhere freely. In the last few years there was an increase in the no entry signs and some closings were placed to their access; as many citizens tried to change people's bad habit of leaving their litter scattered continually over the ground, even on the most inland areas. When you are in front of some no entry signs or closings, it is always better for you not to go ahead and pay due attention not to causing any damage to farming and cultivation. All the photographs were taken respecting the no entry signs; and access to some of the wetlands which you can admire here, is forbidden now. Before penetrating into their most inland areas, I would warmly advise you to contact the Research Centre of the Fucecchio Marshes to get reliable information about the places to which you are allowed to go and if you want to have the opportunity of visiting the Fucecchio Marshes with qualified environmental guides legally recognized.

History: War passed through these places as well. The Fucecchio Marshes are among the places which were the scenes of summary executions during the Second World War. I am not going to talk about the contemporary trends with the historical revisionism and the variegated estimation of events which sadly marked our Nation's history. I was born many years later, when the Second World War had already finished and, luckily, I could relive those days only by listening to old people's words and reading some books; yet I will not turn my face on the other side to forget, even if I know that it would be much easier for me. Along your way, you will discover some inscribed pillars and tombstones with the names and the faded photographs of the people who saw those places till the very last moments of their lives, before being killed. There were men, women and children, whom perhaps, each of us could have met in the Fucecchio Marshes today. Please try to stop for a few moments in front of those tombstones, symbol of dreadful happenings apparently so far away from us, but which remind us of pictures which are often topical for many places in the world. Undoubtedly, they are a good reason for thinking them over, paying civil respect since those people have not died in vain.

Natural reserves: Natural reserves are usually forbidden to enter, since if you enter without taking any precaution, it can be very harmful. In a few cases, some walking guided tours under the control of the organisms in charge, can be done. Those who would like to take part in these excursions, I will be glad to let them know the addresses of the Public Bodies which take care of reserves and preserved areas.

Safety: Marshes are always places which you need to enter with your eyes open. For most of the year many paths can be flooded. Owing to the proximity of the several inland paths, above all banks to the streams, you need to pay the utmost attention. You can easily notice, from some photographs, that the borders among paths and streams are often barely visible. As well as this, we have to take account of the torrential character of their tributaries, whose waters flow into the Marshes; thing that, in case of heavy rains, can make them reach a higher level fast. In addition to this, we would advise you not to make excursions on your own; it is better that there should be two of you!

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