“The Timpa”Nature Reserve, Acireale

Manager/administrator: The State Forestry Agency of Sicily
Distance from the centre: 1 - 2 km
What to see: the panorama, and the typical flora and fauna of this Mediterranean beauty spot
Advisable period: from May to September

Free guided tours: Legambiente Acireale. Person in charge; Cesar Melfa - Tel 333 7643244
‘Comune di Acireale’ tourist information office - Tel +39 095 895249

- Starting from the ‘suffragio’ quarter; the ancient working-class heart of the city
- The route progresses to the ancient “Scala d’Aci” (stairs of Aci)
- The fortress of ‘Tocco’ (1600), also called the “Tocco del cannone” (Touch of the canon), is situated at the beginning of the descent
- It then follows the Chiazzette, an evocative narrow Spanish lane, along which typical vegetation, such as some examples of Robinia pseudoacacia, that were originally used to make masts, can be admired.
- It then reaches the small seafaring village of S.M. La Scala *
- Turning to right it is possible to reach Mulino beach where, in many places, it is possible to see fresh water veins under the rocks as well as the Miuccio spring. Here the cascades of pure water provide an optimal occasion to refresh yourself on the little cocole (pebble) beach, often frequented by the ‘acesi’ people.

* Shuttle bus from S.M. La Scala to Acireale  
www.zappala-torrisi.it
Timetables: 8:10-9:35-10:35-11:35-12:35-13:35-15:40-17:00-17:40-19:45
Weekdays only. Tickets purchased on the bus.

- From the Catania highway opposite the Church of ‘Santa Maria delle Grazie’
- The route continues towards the south where it meets the church of ‘nostra Signora dell’Aiuto’
- The path turns in and flanks the church
- It then runs along an ancient building works that acts as an irrigation channel
- It reached an open space dominated by a large delimited natural amphitheatre to the left of the Timpa di Don Masi and to the right of the Acquegrandi beach.
- Here the route descends to the sea, along a mule track that crosses the slope with areas of emphasized unevenness and dips in the landscape. Flora: oak, elm tree, nettle tree, carob tree, ‘ramno alaterno’(rhamnus alaternus), euphorbia, prickly pear and garofano rupicolo (dianthus rupicola). Fauna: Buzzard, Kestrel, wood pigeon, Sardinian Warbler and the European Goldfinch. It reaches a large pebble beach that extends for hundreds of meters.

- Starting from ‘Santa Caterina-Terme nuove’, in the vicinity of the ancient cliff of Saint Guglielmo.
- From the viewpoint it turns into the lane, via Acqua del Ferro.
- After about thirty meters it meets the path.
- The path crosses ‘The Timpa’ in a zigzag that allows you to enjoy the scenery.
- It arrives at a rock beach from where the ‘Acqua del Ferro’ (water of Iron) fresh water spring gushes. It’s called this because of the red colouration it gets from the cliffs.
- At sea level, approximately 100mt south of the spring, reddish tufaceous rock can be seen, an important observation for those passionate about geology or nature. Fauna: wood pigeon, hermit sparrow, and weasel. Flora: centuries old specimens of carob tree.

- Starting from via Gangi or via Pennisi, the route passes under the railway underpass and reaches the S.S.114 highway.
- It goes down via Pietra Monaca, a straight and steep narrow lane that flanks the cultivated lemon gardens.
- It reaches a small-inhabited area on the left where it enters the rudimentary terraced steps.
- Under “Villa Linen” two possible paths begin: the first one, going north, has no exits but has evocative panoramic viewpoints; the second, passo di jusu, allows you to reach the beach. The name ‘Pietra Monaca’ (Nun Stone) refers to a rock on the seafront, where the path comes out, that exactly resembles a nun lying down.
- Along the shoreline it is possible to reach Mulino beach.

Sources: www.parks.it/riserva.timpa

For the particularity of the context and the possibility of sudden changes in the weather, a high altitude excursion on Etna demands some important precautions:

- To wear layers
- To always carry long trousers and a wind jacket
- To wear trekking shoes
- To carry water
- To not leave the marked paths if you don’t have a guide

Total duration: approximately 6 hours
Highest point: 3,345 meters

Leaving from the Rifugio Sapienza (the wisdom shelter). Transportation to high altitudes by Funivia Etna (cable-cars) and then by cross-country vehicle to Torre del Filosofo (2,900m). Then continuing on foot for approximately an hour and a half, crossing an uneven area of approximately 400 meters. Arriving at the great crater terrace of the central cone and visiting the abysses that are always active in this summit area.

Warning: at 3,000 meters the temperatures are severe even in the height of summer.  Equip yourselves well!

Total duration: 4 hours

There are numerous observation points on this great depression, which probably originated from the collapse of the ancient pre-etneo volcano, the Trifoglietto. We recommend admiring the panorama from the Schiena dell’Asino. Crossing from the Etna-south station, ‘Rifugio Sapienza’ and continuing along the road, Strada Provinciale 92, opposite the crossing for Pedara, enter the Forest gate and join the track that runs through a little pine woodland then into a large lava clearing. A little further on is the verdant slope from where you can admire the enormous lava depressions that flow together over the major part of the southern slope.

Estimated time: 2.5 hours
Southern slope

The path leaves from Piano Vetore, near the Etna-south tourist station – Rifugio Sapienza, and proceeds over ancient and recent lava flows, through a small pine woodland. You will be able to see the pietra cannone (the canon stone), a cylindrical lava formation created as a result of the lava cooling while it was flowing around a tree trunk. Crossing a small stream, you arrive at a glade then, a little further on, the Nuova Gussonea Botanical Gardens.

Estimated time: 2 hours
Eastern slope

Departing from the Citelli Shelter (after the ‘Fornazzo’ inhabitation) from where you can already enjoy a splendid coastal panorama. The route develops around the Sartorius Mounts, seven close craters (“a bottoniera” formation). Crossing ‘Monte Frumento delle Concazze’, a great strombolian crater, then, through an old birch forest Betulla aetnensis until it reaches the great lava flow of the 1865 eruption of the Sartorius.

www.parcoetna.it
www.parks.it/parco.etna/

Estimated time: 1.5 hours

From the Giardini Naxos exit of the Catania-Messina freeway.
To visit the natural Park and the spectacular gorges, you can descend to river level on foot or by elevator. The excursion to the gorges is rather hard, so it is only recommended for expert hikers who can swim well. From the very beginning, it dips waist deep into the icy water and during the journey there are several sections where swimming is expected.
A swimsuit and a pair of tennis shoes without socks are indispensable

www.parks.it/parco.alcantara

Thanks to its strategic position, Acireale is an ideal base camp to visit the places that are most representational of Sicily. Day trip excursions are often possible. Primarily: Catania, for its culture and nightlife, the romantic Taormina, the ancient Siracusa, the praise worthy baroque of Noto and Ragusa, the archaeological area of Piazza Armerina and Caltagirone for its valuable ceramics. With an over night stop in Palermo, the ‘capoluogo’ and Monreale can be visited. On the return journey, take in the spectacular sunset at ‘Valle dei Templi di Agrigento’ (Agrigento valley of Temples).

Catania, with 305,773 inhabitants, rises on the east coast of the island, at the foot of the volcano, mount Etna, and its territory takes up a vast part of the Catania plain. The original centre of the city was situated on a hill that today corresponds to ‘piazza Dante’, where you can find the former ‘Monastero dei Benedettini’ (Benedictine monastery). Catania is crossed by an underground river, the Amenano, and in the past, a little to the west outside the walls, lake Nicito could be found. It was later covered by the lava flow of 1669 that deeply changed the appearance of the city, entering the sea and creating a new 7km reef. The city has been destroyed seven times by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, in particular the catastrophic ones of 1169 and 1693. The old part of the city is from the 1700s. In that century the post earthquake city became rich with architectural work of great esteem, much of which was the work of the architect, Vaccarini, such as the Palazzo del Municipio (Town hall) in the public square of the Duomo. Of noteworthy artistic interest is the via Crociferi quarter, where churches and monasteries prevail and where the etneo baroque finds some of its best expression. In the cathedral, the tombs of Federico II d’Aragona and Vincenzo Bellini can be found.

www.comune.catania.it
www.apt.catania.it

Taormina is celebrated all over the world for its mild climate, its rich Mediterranean vegetation and above all for the beauty of its panoramic view of the Ionica coast and Etna. The truly splendid ‘Teatro Greco’ (Greek theatre) was originally constructed in Hellenistic age and then entirely reconstructed in the Roman age and is the second largest classic theatre of Sicily, after Siracusa. From the stepped seating and even more so from the terraces that dominate the scene, an unforgettable panorama is enjoyed. Places to visit: ‘Palazzo Corvaja’, the ‘Duomo’, the ‘Naumachie’ and the ‘Odeon’. Not forgetting a long stroll along Corso Umberto, the evocative main road of Taormina, which connects the Messina gate with the Catania gate and is rich with souvenir shops and elegant stores.

88 km from Acireale on the rise that connect the Erei mounts to the Iblei, at an altitude of 608m. Caltagirone is an important agricultural and artisan centre, with its famous and ancient ‘maiolica’ (majolica ceramics) industry that today employs hundreds of people. Its current appearance, typically baroque, is the fruit of the 1700s reconstruction. The greatest attraction in the city is the ‘scenografica perron’: 142 steps that connect the upper city to the lower city. The stairs were constructed at the beginning of the 1600, and then in 1954 the elevation of every step was covered with ‘maiolica’ tiles, which created a pleasant chromatic effect. The stairs are adorned with designs for the festivity of Saint Giacomo, the patron saint of the city, 24 and 25 July.

Piazza Armerina

Enna exit of the Catania-Palermo freeway

80 km from Acireale, in the province of Enna, Piazza Armerina is famous for the mosaics found within ‘Villa del Casale’, one of the most luxurious country residences of the late Roman age. The mosaic pavements, uncovered in 1950, adorn nearly all the rooms covering a surface area of more than 3,500 square meters. The mosaics vary greatly in theme: those that attract the most attention depict hunting scenes, other motifs portray humorous narrations of ‘Puttini’ and ‘Amorini’ as they fish, hunt, and harvest and tread grapes. Then there are scenes of ‘Circensi’ games, gymnastics, the myths of Orfeo (Orpheus), Ulisse (Ulysses) and Polifemo (Polyphemus or Cyclops), and the exertions of Ercole (Hercules).

Siracusa is the main town of the ‘Adagiato’ province, situated on the eastern coast of the island and stretching out towards the sea. It is one of the most important centres for Ancient Greek archaeology. The city’s most ancient centre is on the island of Ortigia, connected by a bridge to the main land where the modern city is located. What to see: the Tempio di Atene (Athena’s temple) currently enclosed in the Duomo, Aretusa Fountain, the Teatro Greco (Greek Theater), the Archaeological Park of the Neapolis, the Catacombe, Maniace Castle, the Archaeological Museum Paolo Orsi.

Noto is a baroque jewel on a plateau that dominates the citrus covered valle dell’Asinaro. For its beauty and uniquesness the town has been declared the “The Property of  Humanity” by UNESCO. Its beauty was born from the earthquake of 1693, that in this part of Sicily prompted a large scale reconstruction, conducted by Duca di Camastra, the Noto representative to the Spanish vicerè. Many Sicilian artists participated in this reconstruction, among them Paul Labisi, Vincenzo Sinatra and Rosario Gagliardi, who were influenced by, arguably one of the most inventive artisans, Borromini. The buildings are majestic and constructed with the local limestone. Other than for its historical centre, Noto is known for the Infiorata di Via Nicolaci, a spectacular carpet of flowers, which is laid along the streets by local artists, illustrating different scenes every year.  

A visit to Ibla, most ancient of city of Ragusa, begins with a visit to the Basilica di San Giorgio an imposing example of Sicilian baroque. Completed in 1775 using the designs of Rosario Gagliardi, the facade is divided into three parts by columns and decorated motifs, typical of the era. Although the various architectural elements belong to various ages – such as the stairs and the dome at the rear of the church - the entirety turns out to be extraordinarily harmonious. In Piazza Pola, the Church of Saint Giuseppe has a facade very similar to that of the Basilica di S. Giorgio. Other precious baroque works and a beautiful silver statue of S. Giuseppe, going back to the 1600s, are conserved within this church. From Villa Comunale or Giardino lbleo magnificent views of the Iblei mounts and the Irminio River can be enjoyed.

The origins of this capital of the island are very ancient, testified by the finding of some cut rocks attributed to the Palaeolithic age. In the VIII century it was conquered by the Fenici (a semite population from the ancient area of palestine) and was transformed into one of the most powerful cities in the Mediterranean. Subsequently the Greeks, kept Palermo as the main port for trading with the other countries of the Mediterranean. During the Punic War (264-241 B.C.) Palermo was at the centre of the engagements between Rome and Carthage and, when it was called to decide which side it was on, chose Rome. From that time the city knew a long and happy period of peace and prosperity that continued even with the arrival of the Ostrogoths (an east german tribe) and the Arabs. The period of the Arabic domination corresponded to a time of splendour and great power for the city throughout Sicily. There are so many things to see, among them the Palazzo di Normanni, also known as Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace), that today is the centre of the region of Sicily, and houses the most significant monuments of Arab-Norman art, the Cappella Palatina (Palatina Chapel), erected by Ruggero II in the XII century and entirely covered by sparkling, gilded and inlayed mosaics. For a dive into the “palermitanità” culture, visit the famous, colourful and lively Vucciria market.

The city that more than any other has conserved the architecture and evidence of the Greek period, scattered along the spectacular Valle dei Templi (valley of temples) and recently added to the UNESCO cultural ‘Property of Humanity’ list. Its masterworks include: the Tempio di Hera, the Tempio della Concord, the Tempio di Eracle, the Tempio di Zeus and the Santuario delle Divinità Ctoniche. Agrigento is the city of Luigi Pirandello; you can visit his house and the places described by the writer in some of his works.