Gustavo Giovannoni e il Parco nazionale d’Abruzzo

Gustavo Giovannoni, first as president (1921-26) and later as an associate member of the Roman section of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club), played a significant role in the creation of the National Park of Abruzzo, which was tenaciously desired and established in 1923 by his friend, Honourable Erminio Sipari, that time under-secretary of State. According to documents preserved at the historical archives of the Abruzzo National Park in Pescasseroli and at the Sipari family's archive, Giovannoni had been a member of the first Provisional Executive Independent Authority of the Park before becoming a member of the Administrational Commission. In that role he was responsible for the protection of the countryside and the development of tourism and hotel industry (1921-1928). It is thanks to him that the most charming and characteristic places of the park have been discovered and became subject to environmentally protective restrictions. Giovannoni implemented the first extension of the perimeter of the Park, in order to include new areas to be safeguarded. He pointed out the need to develop a modern urban fabric in the mountain towns, in harmony with the local environmental culture. In addition, he caught the attention of many Italian climbers throughout numerous collective events in the park, organized by the C.A.I. Finally, Giovannoni firmly supported Sipari’s project: combining the needs of environmental protection with those of tourism development.