Description of the attraction
Natural Park "Nebrodi" with an area of 85.5 thousand hectares is spread over the territory of the Sicilian provinces of Catania, Enna and Messina. Together with the Madoni mountain range and the Peloritan Mountains, it forms the so-called Sicilian Apennines, which in the north reach the Tyrrhenian Sea, and in the south are bounded by the Etna volcano and the Alcantara River. The main features of the Nebrodi Mountains are the asymmetry of the slopes, varied relief, rich flora and the presence of ecologically unique wetlands. The highest mountain in the park is Monte Soro (1847 meters). Where limestone rocks prevail, the landscape has dolomite features - sharp and steep forms with numerous faults. This is especially true for the mountains of Monte San Fratello and Rocche del Crasto. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the widespread process of “domesticating” the park's territory, which led to the transformation of Nebrodi from a natural into a cultural landscape.
The Arabs called Nebrodi "an island on an island": the reason for this becomes clear after the first visit to the park. Delightful forests with a wealth of life forms, alpine green pastures, tranquil lakes and numerous streams of water contrast with the more popular image of the scorched sun of Sicily. In the park, you can see the evergreen maquis, euphorbia, myrtle and pistachio trees, broom, strawberries, cork oak and holly typical for the Mediterranean. Oak groves are especially extensive at an altitude of 800 to 1400 meters above sea level. And even higher you can find beech forests, spread over an area of 10 thousand hectares.
Today the Nebrodi mountains are the richest part of Sicily in terms of biological diversity, despite the deteriorating ecological state. The animal kingdom is represented here by mammals, reptiles and amphibians, as well as about 150 species of nesting and migratory birds. In the forests you can find porcupines, wild cats and martens, among the reptiles you can find the European marsh turtle and the Balkan turtle. The Sicilian black-headed gadget and long-tailed tit are endemic to the park, while birds of prey such as the buzzard, kestrel, Mediterranean falcon, red kite and peregrine falcon are ubiquitous. The Rocque del Crasto gorges are a real kingdom of golden eagles.
The territory of the Nebrodi Park is also rich in various sights. For example, the Impallacchonata Castle, erected at an altitude of 837 meters above sea level and surrounded by an oak grove, is the only local graceful building made of square stone blocks. It is also known as Casina di Pietratallata.
Lake Maulazzo is located on the northeastern slope of Monte Soro. It is an artificial reservoir with an area of about 5 hectares, created in the 1980s in the middle of the amazing beautiful beech grove of Sollazzo Verde. Another large lake in the park - Biviere - is located in the municipality of Cesaro and has an area of 18 hectares. It is one of the most ecologically important wetlands in Sicily. In summer, you can observe an amazing natural phenomenon here: the waters of the lake acquire a deep red color due to the rapid bloom of micro-algae. Finally, Monte Soro itself offers breathtaking views: from its summit you can see the Tyrrhenian Sea coast and the Aeolian Islands in the north, the Peloritan Mountains in the east, the impressive profile of Etna in the southeast, and the Madoni mountain range in the west. On the way to the top of Monte Soro, a huge maple grows - one of the largest in Italy (22 meters in height and about 6 meters in diameter).
