Salse di Nirano - Mud volcanoes

Salse di Nirano (Nirano Sauces) are a phenomenon occurring where Apennines range meets the plains of Po Valley.
In a semi-circular area, originated by the natural collapse of a great bubble of methane, you can see these strange mud volcanoes, with their typical conical shape.

In background Po Valley, in foreground semi-circular area with mud volcanoes:

Salse (Sauces) are emission of cold mud due to the ascent from the ground of salty and muddy waters mixed with gases (methane) and fluid (petroleum) along a fracture. 'Salsa' derives from 'salt' content of muddy waters, related to the ancient sea that occupied these places about one million years ago.
This place is one of the most important in Italy and one of the greatest in Europe.

Here other view of these mud volcanoes. You can hear, following rhythmic times, a loud sound of the mud coming to surface, and also some 'boiling' puddles (with cold water), like a pot of sauce boiling!

All around, spring is exploding, with the wonderful yellow colors of bulbous buttercup:

We are in Emilia Romagna region, but it seems to be in Tuscany! Another time and place, and also an old car reminds me past times:

Some lakes, and some olive trees! It is rare to see olive tree in Emilia Romagna. Olive trees suffer subzero temperatures, but this area is a bit warmer, so you can find some cultivation (obviously the price of the oil is very high).

Here some landscapes. Rows of cypress trees, a castle, vineyards, olive trees, ancient farmhouses, green and peaceful field illuminated by the bright spring sun of this warm April:

Nirano church:

And old houses surrounded by wisteria:

All around, many gullies created by the erosion of the seabed of the ancient sea:

Thanks for reading!
Visit Italy and Salse di Nirano!

Pictures taken with Sony Alpha 7iii, Nikon D800, Huawey Mate 20 phone.
24.04.2025