Padule of Fucecchio in Ponte Buggianese (I)

Stefano Giannantonio lives and works in Valdinievole and finds in landscapes his first source of inspiration. Every canvas of his is a careful visitation and a tribute to nature and to his territory: that part of Tuscany where he lives and that he well knows. Here's the representation of that “Padule” or those “marine” at the mouth of Arno that can convey the beauty of nature but also allow to hide in a world far in time but alive in memory.

The “Padule” of Fucecchio: it's the largest humid area inside Italy; 1800 hectares divided between the provinces of Pistoia and Firenze. It's an area of a great naturalistic interest, now Natural Reserve.

The Padule has a key role in migration routes between the Tirrenic coast and the inland, with 200 species of birds which can be watched, of which at least 80 nesting. Mostly important are the herons that in their reproduction period make up the most important nesting colony (garzaia) in central-southern Italy.

Many kinds of marsh grass are present: canes, wet lawns, characteristic tufts of “sarello”. The collection of some of these kinds of grass (locally called “sarello”, “sala”, “gaggia”) have represented for years a typical activity of this territory: the typical coating of chairs and fiascos were made from their weaving.

Man work during centuries has obviously modified the structure of the humid area. Channels, harbous systems, remains of ancient and important water routes are the evidence of this work.

The Padule with its resources (hunting, fishing, agriculture, draining) has always kept a strong link with the population of this area, creating in memory and imagination a rich heritage of traditions.