Nature tourism
Agrigento

Villa Bonfiglio, Agrigento: located in the heart of Viale della Vittoria, is the largest town villa and includes green spaces, health trails, athletics and an ice rink. Other important green areas to mention in the city are: the Addolorata Park, which houses two skating rinks, an amphitheater and a pyramidal structure; the Natural Area and Archeology Rupe Atenea; the Valle dei Templi Archaeological Park; the Garden of kolimbetra, managed by the FAI; the Bosco di contrada Maddalusa; the Luigi Pirandello Literary Park; the Botanical Garden and the Goethe Gardens.

Macalube Nature Reserve, Aragon: located near the town and is characterized by the “maccalube”, a word that derives from the Arabic word maqlùb (overturning or overturning of the ground) and indicates the hydro-argillaceous springs. The singular and millennial activity of these small springs has always aroused interest and curiosity: from the ground in fact come out streams of clay slime with bubbles of methane gas that, depositing themselves, form cones similar to those of small volcanoes.

Park of the Sicani Mountains, (Bivona, Burgio, Cammarata, Castronovo di Sicilia, Chiusa Sclafani, Contessa Entellina, Giuliana, Palazzo Adriano, Prizzi, Sambuca di Sicilia, San Giovanni Gemini, Santo Stefano di Quisquina): definitively established in 2012, it is the fifth regional park in Sicily and includes four pre-existing nature reserves which, together with the establishment of the The park has been abolished with a decree: the Nature Reserve oriented to Monti di Palazzo Adriano and Valle del Sosio, the nature reserve oriented Monte Carcaci, the nature reserve oriented Mount Genuardo and Santa Maria del Bosco and the nature reserve oriented Mount Cammarata. The Park crosses 12 municipalities, 6 from Agrigento and 6 from the province of Palermo. In the territory of the Park there are examples of holm oak and oak, carob trees, cedars, cypresses, pines, maples, endemic species such as the Sicilian dandelion, the sesleria of the macereti, the Sicilian senecio, the yellow bivonea and the camomile of the Madonie. Still the Park hosts the fox, the wild rabbit, the hare, the weasel, the porcupine, the hedgehog and the garden mouse. As for the birdlife we ​​mention the ruler, the woodcock, the blackcap, the blackbird, the creeper, the wren, the great tit, the robin and the small luì. Among the birds of prey the kestrel, the buzzard, the owl, the owl, the tawny owl and barn owl. Finally, the presence of the great spotted woodpecker and the Sicilian partridge, two species at risk of extinction.

Parco della Divina Commedia, Campobello di Licata: on the southern slopes of the hill on which Campobello di Licata stands, the Parco della Divina Commedia has been created, a place also known as the “Valley of painted stones”. The suggestive path winds through an old stone quarry where 110 monoliths of Alcamo travertine were placed on which the master Silvio Benedetto painted characters from the Divine Comedy. The walk in the valley thus allows the visitor to ideally retrace the otherworldly journey of Dante.

Cozzo Disi mine, Casteltermini: it was one of the largest sulfur mines in Italy and in Europe. After the final cessation of mining activities, which took place in 1988, maintenance was guaranteed until 1991. In addition to its great historical and economic value, the mine presents mineralogical and naturalistic features of exceptional interest: among all, the garbere, grandiose cavities karst crystals covered with crystals of considerable purity and transparency. It is the only sulfur mine-museum that can be visited underground up to the 12th level and can be used on a tourist level.

Oriented nature reserve of the river Platani, Cattolica Eraclea-Ribera: it is a protected natural area established in 1984 by the Sicily Region in order to guarantee the conservation of the ornithic population and to favor the reconstitution of the Mediterranean scrub. The Reserve consists of a total area of ​​about 206 hectares that intersects the mouth of the river Platani in the territories of Ribera and Cattolica Eraclea and laps the promontory of Capo Bianco, seat of the ancient Greek city of Eraclea Minoa. The Reserve includes beautiful beaches characterized by a particularly limpid and crystalline sea.

Bosco Cavallo, Cianciana: inside the forest of Monte Cavallo, an area equipped with tables and stone barbecue has been created that allows visitors to enjoy the beauties of the place in absolute relaxation. The area is also equipped with fountains, a bowling alley and disabled toilets. From the forest you can admire the valley of the Platani and in the distance a glimpse of the sea. Noteworthy in the area are the caves of the Horse, the Mayor and Zubbio which are of great interest both naturalistic and archaeological.

Bosco Firrio, Caves: the town of Caves lies on a fertile hill along the San Biagio river, surrounded by the lush pasture lands and the pines of the Firrio forest, one of the equipped areas of the province of Agrigento that offers suggestive hiking trails.

Oasi Lipu, Montallegro: L’Oasi LIPU (Italian League for Bird Protection) develops around the artificial basin of the Gorgo and is one of the few protected areas in Sicily equipped for guided tours. The Oasis includes various environmental typologies: the melting waters, frequented in winter by cormorants; the shallow waters, where we find among others the gray heron and the marzaiola duck; the marshy vegetation of the banks, on the other hand, welcomes the diver, the coot and the reed warbler. A special quote should be reserved for the marsh turtle, a very rare reptile, symbol of the Oasis.

Terme di Acqua Pia, Montevago: a few kilometers from the inhabited center gushes out a source of hot water used for therapeutic purposes. To give life to the myth of the Terme Acqua Pia is a legend that sees as protagonists two shepherds, Cinzio and Corinthia, in search of immortality. Even today, the spring, carefully cured and monitored daily, continues to flow, giving health and beauty to those who immerse themselves in its waters. Also a short distance from the ancient springs has recently been built the spa village with comfortable rooms, a solarium, a restaurant and a swimming pool to make your stay even more comfortable and pleasant. Noteworthy in the territory of the municipality the equipped area of ​​the Magaggiaro wood where you can spend wonderful days in contact with nature.

San Giovanni Dam, Naro: located on the river Naro, a few kilometers from the town, and was built to build an artificial reservoir capable of containing seventeen million liters of water. Now an important point of reference for national and international rowing, it is home to various sporting events including the International Temples Trophy, the Montu Promotional Cup and the Absolute Regional Championships.

Monte Sara, Ribera: equipped area built in a pine and eucalyptus forest, with benches and tables in local stone, cooking facilities, a bowling alley, fountains and various useful services for visitors. The place, ideal for mountain biking, offers the opportunity to relax in the open area and admire the varied native flora and fauna.

Lago Arancio, Sambuca di Sicilia-Santa Margherita di Belice-Sciacca: the Arancio lake, located in the Valle dei Mulini, has served as a backdrop for several world-class water skiing championships. Built in the period 1949-1952 with the construction of a dam, the water level today covers the fortress of Mazzallakkar, a remnant of the Arab domination, for about six months a year. In 2000 the State assigned it to LIPU, which made it a naturalistic oasis. Finally, we point out to the west of the lake the Resinata forest and to the east the Tardara gorges.

Integral nature reserve of Monte S. Calogero, Sciacca: the Reserve protects an hypogeum complex consisting of five caves including the famous “Stufe di S. Calogero”, inside which flow steamy therapeutics. The name of the Reserve derives from the legend according to which in one of the caves of Monte Kronio it has found the S. Calogero shrine. The caves were inhabited already in the period and frequented since the Greek age. On foot of Mount Kronio-S. Calogero is the Enchanted Castle, an olive grove in which there are hundreds of suggestive heads carved on the rock or on olive trunks by a singer artist-peasant, Filippo Bentivegna.

Torre Salsa Natural Reserve, Siculiana: established in 2000 by the Sicily Region, the Reserve is managed by the WWF which takes care of the protection of some animal species living in this territory. Finally, remember that the Reserve of Torre Salsa boasts one of the few integral examples of dune survivors in Sicily and is very important from a naturalistic point of view thanks to its pristine beaches and extremely fine sand.

Ialmo Consiglia

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