The Power of Documentary Photography in Italy

Italy’s Mother Trees, Fishery Valleys, and Endangered Wildlife

When we think of Italy, our minds often turn to Renaissance art, Roman ruins, and unforgettable food and wine. But the soul of Italy is also found in its landscapes—its ancient trees, forgotten wetlands, and endangered species—and few people capture these overlooked treasures and environmental challenges better than documentary photographer Elisabetta Zavoli.

In my recent conversation with Elisabetta Zavoli on the Flavor of Italy podcast, and we explored her deep and vital work that goes far beyond the camera lens. Her projects combine her environmental science background with the visual storytelling of documentary photography to shine a light on the natural heritage and hidden ecosystems of Italy.

From Environmental Scientist to Documentary Photographer

Born in Rimini, Elisabetta Zavoli’s path to photography wasn’t linear. She first earned a degree in environmental sciences from the University of Bologna, followed by a master’s in chemistry for waste management, and eventually a master’s in photojournalism. That foundation in science gave her the tools to understand the complex environmental issues she now documents with her camera.

She’s lived and worked in Algeria, Indonesia, and across Italy, always seeking out stories that live on the fringes—beyond the mainstream narratives of tourism and culture. Her work has been featured by National Geographic, the New Yorker, BBC, the Guardian, and many more. In 2022, she was awarded a National Geographic Society grant for her investigative storytelling.

The Mother Trees of Italy: Living Monuments - through Documentary Photography

The Hundred-Horse Chestnut is the largest and oldest known chestnut tree in the world. Located on Linguaglossa road in Sant'Alfio, on the eastern slope of Mount Etna in Sicily.
Photo credit: LuckyLisp

One of Elisabetta’s most powerful documentary photography projects, born during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the Mother Trees Project, which focuses on Italy’s monumental trees. These ancient giants—over 22,000 of them catalogued across the country—include some of the oldest living organisms in Europe. Among these are about 150 trees deemed to hold exceptional historical or cultural value.

Elisabetta’s work takes us into these natural sanctuaries. She spoke about a 2,000-year-old olive tree near the village of Radda, just outside Perugia—so massive and majestic it dwarfs even the most ancient olive groves in Puglia. Then there's the Castagno dei Cento Cavalli in Sicily—a colossal chestnut tree whose name, “Chestnut of the Hundred Horses,” comes from a legend in which a princess and her entourage of 100 horsemen found shelter under its branches during a storm.

Another breathtaking story is that of the Oriental Plane Tree of Curinga in Calabria. Planted centuries ago by a monk from Armenia, this tree is the only one of its species in the region. Hidden deep within a dense forest, its hollow trunk is so vast it can hold an entire elementary school classroom. “You don’t see the tree until you’re upon it,” Elisabetta said. “Then it emerges like a giant from the forest.”

Some of these trees grow on private land, like the enormous oak tree outside Rome whose heavy branches spill over a villa gate in Sacrofano. Others, like the 800-year-old Cypress of Saint Francis near Rimini, come wrapped in legend. This tree, said to have sprouted from a walking stick used by Saint Francis of Assisi, even survived an attempted burning by Napoleon’s troops. Its scorched bark still bears the scars.

Elisabetta believes that the longevity of these trees isn’t just about favorable climate—it’s about human connection. “They lived because people cared for them,” she said. “Communities grew around them, protected them, and understood their value.”

Documentary Photography as Conservation: Italy’s Fishery Valleys

Another lesser-known part of Italy’s ecological tapestry lies in its fishery valleys—artificial coastal lagoons and wetlands in the Po River Delta, designed centuries ago by Venetians. These manmade ecosystems were Venice’s answer to securing a steady food supply. With a controlled mix of seawater and river water, the Venetians transformed coastal lagoons into brackish lakes to farm fish and hunt migratory birds.

Today, these fishery valleys remain a unique blend of nature and human stewardship. Though they may seem wild, they are still carefully managed to maintain their delicate balance. Without this regulation, they would collapse into swampland. “It’s a collaboration between man and nature,” Elisabetta explained.

Documentary photography plays a critical role here—capturing not just the environment, but the lives of the people who work the land and water, continuing centuries-old traditions. Her images document a way of life that is threatened by climate change, urbanization, and neglect. Yet, these fishery valleys also represent resilience and sustainability when managed with care.

Photo credit: Italy on the Fly, organizer of bespoke fishing adventures in Italy

Rewilding Italy: The Return of the Italic Deer

Elisabetta’s current project in Calabria continues her theme of visual conservation. This time, it’s the repopulation of the Italic deer—a subspecies native only to the Italian mainland. For centuries, this species was confined to a single fenced forest in the Po Delta, making it vulnerable to disease, fire, and genetic decline.

In 2023, a collaboration led by WWF Italia relocated several deer to the Serre Nature Regional Park in Calabria. It’s a rugged, mountainous area filled with lush forests—ideal for a new wild population. “It’s a risky move,” Elisabetta admitted, “but it’s also a hopeful one.” Her images follow the deer’s journey, their tentative steps into this new territory, and the people working to ensure their survival.

Why This Work Matters

Through her documentary photography lens, Elisabetta Zavoli brings us closer to the quiet heroes of Italy’s landscape. Trees that have stood for millennia. Ecosystems that reflect human ingenuity and interdependence. Wildlife given a second chance. Her documentary photography challenges us to see Italy not just as a cultural wonderland, but as an ecological mosaic with urgent stories to tell.

“I want people to look beyond what’s on the surface,” Elisabetta told me. “Yes, Italy is food, art, and history. But it’s also nature, resilience, and deep-rooted traditions of care and coexistence.”

As travelers and as global citizens, we owe it to these stories—and to ourselves—to pay attention. Elisabetta Zavoli’s documentary photography projects are featured on her website. On her website, you will find some of her magnificent photography and details of her fascinating documentary photography projects.