Covering an area of 1300 acres, this marshland was formed in the 1950s around lakes created by the dams that were built to provide electricity to the entire surrounding area. At the centre is the marshy area of Bandella, which is home to numerous species of birds, like herons, kingfishers, mallards and egrets, and is a bird watcher's dream.
There is also a woodland that is ideal for hiking and exploring and is home to a diverse fauna of its own like hares, pheasants, porcupines, deer and wild boars. The Monticello Visitors' Centre and the Ponte a Buriano Visitors' Centre organises hikes and excursions and the Grande Escursione delle Riserve dell'Arno (Great River Arno Nature Reserve Hike), in particular, is a muse; a trail that begins at Acqua Borra, passes through Bandella, Ponte Romito and the ancient fortifications of Rondine and Penna, before finishing at Ponte a Buriano. Beautiful, with footpaths purposefully cut into the trail, it is a charming a peaceful route that passes bubbling streams, little waterfalls and all sorts of charming sights.