THE ERNICI MOUNTAINS GEOHERITAGE (CENTRAL APENNINES, ITALY): ASSESSMENT OF THE GEOSITES FOR GEOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract: In this work we propose a new model for the inventory and evaluation of a part of the Ernici Mountains (Trisulti of Collepardo) geosites. The aim of this work is the enhancement of cultural landscape, through a geotourist itinerary describing the culture as the product of the interaction between humans activities and their living environment. To this aim, the enhancement of the geoheritage is based on the landforms analysis and the observation of culture as a landscape-modeling agent. The proposal for the assessment of the Value of a Site for Geotourism (VSG index) was made by means of the integration and review of national and international geosites evaluation models. Infact, the aim of this work requested to build up a model focused on the geotourist relevance of the geosites. The Ernici Mountains are representative of the italian Central Apennine carbonate platforms. The outcropping lithologies influenced the development of the karst. The abundance of karst cavities inspired the spirituality of many hermits. The monastic culture contributed to the evolution of the peculiar cultural landscape of Trisulti. The itinerary proposed describes the related geomorphological and cultural most significant aspects.