Torre del Cerrano marine protected area: blend of sea, sand dunes and pine forests
28/05/2026
Protected areas are often regarded as must-see sights worth visiting while exploring a destination. Their stunning landscapes, rich wildlife and the feeling of being in a place of exceptional natural beauty are what draw us to visit. And that is part of their charm. Yet, behind their attractiveness lies a far great role.
As the name suggests, the purpose of these areas is to protect the flora and fauna, as well as vulnerable ecosystems from the growing human impacts. Sunce pays special attention to marine protected areas, as they offer a haven for numerous species and protects them from threats like overfishing, habitat loss and pollution. One of those valuable zones is the marine protected area Torre del Cerrano. It is situated on the Italian coast in the region of Abruzzo, where the sea, sand dunes and pine forests come together to form a unique landscape of great natural value.
Italian marine protected area
Torre del Cerrano marine protected area is situated near the town of Pineto in the Italian region of Abruzzo. The area was named after the nearby tower of Cerrano, a defensive fortification built by the Kingdom of Naples in 1568 on the ruins of a 13th century tower.
The stone tower became the landmark of the area thanks to its characteristic architecture that stands out from the surrounding greenery of the pine forest and the blue of the Adriatic Sea. Throughout the centuries, Cerrano tower swapped many hands, from various Neapolitan to Spanish nobles who used the tower for defense against the Saracens and later Turks. As a result, the tower was declared a cultural monument of the province of Teramo in 1983.
Today, the tower is home to a marine biology center. It’s also worth mentioning that the stone ruins of the ancient port of Atri are still visible close to the tower, and some claim the Adriatic Sea owes its name to this ancient town!
Biodiversity of marine life
The marine protected area Torre del Cerrano consists of more than 35 km2 of the sea and seven kilometers of narrow coastline characterized by long sandy beaches. Such terrain configuration is typical of Abruzzo’s coast and most of the Italian Adriatic coast.
The sandy underwater of the marine protected area is home to many mediterranean species. Among them are the well-known European seabass, white seabream, eels and large number of clams like cockles, scallops and many others. Some marine species even made the submerged ruins of Atri port their underwater home.
Thanks to the presence of marine species and habitats of importance for the EU, the marine protected area Torre del Cerrano is also part of the Natura 2000 network. The area is managed by the Consortium for managing the marine protected area Torre del Cerrano.
Coastal sand dunes are more than just mere beaches
Apart from the sea, the protected area includes one of the most vulnerable coastal habitats – sand dunes formed by the wind and the waves. They are a valuable habitat for insects and a nesting site for birds. One of those birds is the Kentish plover, a rare migratory bird who lays its eggs in the sand and is endangered due to habitat loss across the Mediterranean.
Just recently, Torre del Cerrano Marine Protected Area Consortium reported first-time nesting of this little bird and requested all visitors not to approach fenced off areas, not to walk off the paths even to take photos and to always keep their dogs on a leash (where that is allowed). Even the shortest human presence can cause the birds to abandon their nests.
As for the flora, some of the plant species that thrive on the sand dunes under constant pressure from the wind and sea are the sea daffodil, beach morning glory and purple spurge. The dunes on which they grow are situated next to the beach that becomes a popular tourist destination during the summer months because of its fine sand and the shade of nearby pine trees. Unfortunately, its popularity during the tourist season also puts pressure on its ecosystems.
Protected pine forest
The pine forest which covers the hinter of the protected area has been partially planted in the last century. It is thanks to this forest full of pine trees that the nearby town of Pineto carries its name. Along with the Pinus pinea trees, the forest is also home to Aleppo pines and various other plant species native to the area.
The pine forest maintains a special microclimate which provides shelter from the sun and heat during the summer, and in the winter, it serves as a barrier against the wind and salt sprays. While Aleppo pines are native to Abruzzo region, and have always been present in the area, the Pinus pinea trees have been planted in the last century because of their valuable crops – pine nuts. As such, the pines of Torre del Cerrano are protected due to their ecological, but also economic and cultural reasons.
The role of the protected area in Adriatic Sea conservation
The marine protected area Torre del Cerrano is of great importance to nature conservation due to its richness and diversity of flora and fauna, especially in its marine ecosystems. Thanks to their efforts in the field of nature conservation, the Association Sunce and the Torre del Cerrano Marine Protected Area Consortium are partners in the Interreg Italy-Croatia project ADRIWATCH.
The aim of the project is to enhance surveillance and data systems in the Adriatic marine protected areas. The purpose of enhancing surveillance and data systems is to enable a more structured and efficient governance for ranger units and other responsible institutions in marine protected areas, and by doing so, to help protect the Adriatic Sea.
If u want to read more about the project and the marine protected area, follow our official website.
