Description of the attraction
The natural reserve "La Timpa" is located in the vicinity of the resort town of Acireale in Sicily. It is here, on the territory of this reserve, that you can see with your own eyes some geological and volcanological phenomena that tell about the history of Etna - the largest active volcano in Europe. By and large, La Timpa is the result of the eruptions of Etna at different periods of history. The outcrops of antique sedimentary soils here alternate with light gray lava of the first eruptions of the volcano and dark gray lava of subsequent ones.
The reserve was created to protect an almost untouched, virgin territory - the so-called "lemon coast" with its enchanting landscapes and breathtaking views of Etna and the coastline of Calabria visible in the distance. Small farms can be found here and there among the citrus trees, and at the very foot of La Timpa lies the tiny coastal village of Santa Maria La Scala, which can only be reached by a steep staircase.
During the warmer months, the territory of La Timpa is covered with flowering milkweed - this shrub plant looks like a reddish, branched candlestick. This natural phenomenon is known as "summer dormancy" and is an indicator that everything is in order with the ecosystem.
The most common inhabitant of the reserve is the olive warbler, a small bird that nests in Mediterranean maquis. She is easily recognizable by the black “cap” above the eyes, surrounded by a brick-red ring. And the gray-white plumage on the pharynx is lighter than on the rest of the body.
In the aforementioned village of Santa Maria La Scala, there is an international campground, open all year round, equipped with free showers and comfortable vans. The camp also has a restaurant and center where you can book a cultural or archaeological excursion around La Timpa.
