| Monti Sicani Park Monti Sicani Park | |
 | |
Location  | |
| Area type | Regional park |
|---|---|
| State | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Territory | Palermo is Agrigento |
| Surface | 43,687 ha |
| Foundation year | 2012 |
| Institutional website | |
Monti Sicani Park is a protected area located in Sicily.
To know
The park is currently suspended, however its characteristics are maintained in this article pending a final definition regarding its structure.
Geographical notes
The park is located within the territories of the following municipalities: 1 Bivona, Burgio, Cammarata, Castronovo of Sicily, 2 Closed Sclafani, Contessa Entellina, Giuliana, 3 Adriano Palace, 4 Prizzi, 5 Sambuca of Sicily, San Giovanni Gemini, 6 Santo Stefano Quisquina.
The park is crossed by the river Sosio which feeds Lake Gammauta and then continues its journey until it becomes the Verdura river which flows into the channel of Sicily.
The Platani river which partially runs through the territory of the reserve.
Background
Once established in 2012, the park has incorporated 12 municipalities and four pre-existing nature reserves: the oriented nature reserve Monti di Palazzo Adriano and Valle del Sosio, the Monte Carcaci oriented nature reserve, the Monte Genuardo and Santa Maria del Bosco oriented nature reserve and the Monte Cammarata oriented nature reserve, which at the same time as the park was established, were abolished.
On 23 July 2019 the Region suppresses the park by re-establishing the previous parks due to an appeal to the Regional Administrative Court which effectively invalidates the institution.
How to get
By car
The park has multiple access roads based on the area concerned. The use of the car is essential, as there are no other means to reach it.
Permits / Rates
The park is freely accessible, inside the rules applicable to all parks apply. For contacts with the park authority: [email protected]
How to get around
Parco dei Monti Sicani: full screen map.The reserve is cut by several road arteries that allow you to reach the neighboring municipalities, so the most appropriate means is undoubtedly the car.
What see
Lakes
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- 1 Lake of Prizzi (Near Adriano Palace is Prizzi). This is an artificial lake built through a dam. Its waters feed the Sosio river.
- 2 Fanaco Lake (near Castronovo of Sicily). Artificial lake created in the 1950s blocking the course of the Platani river. The lake is a destination for migratory birds and all around thrives a dense vegetation of Holm oaks, Poplars, Pines, Cypresses and Ash, Ginestre and Euphorbie. The waters are home to specimens of: Carp, Perch, Largemouth, Eel and Trout and is used for sport fishing.
- 3 Gammauta lake (Ganimauta lake).
- 4 Pian del Leone lake.
Monti
- 5 Mount Cammarata.
- 6 Mount Carcaci.
- 7 Monte Genuardo (Reachable via the SP 90 which then becomes SP 69, where there is a1 area for parking). 1180 m above sea level, it covers a wooded area of about 17.5 km². On the flanks of the mountain there are geologically very interesting lava formations, but the territory is articulated in a complex and varied way due to the presence of rock formations, depressions and fractures. From Monte Genuardo at about 700 meters above sea level, the Carboj river flows into the Mediterranean Sea.
- On the north-western side of Mount Genuardo there are holm oak and downy oak woods, while on the southern side field maple and mountain ash flourish. There are also reforestation areas with stone pine and Aleppo pine, whose origin dates back to the seventies and within which there has been a spontaneous revival of holm oaks and downy oaks. There are many free grazing cows.
- The mountain is marked by several paths that are not always clear and whose indications may be dubious. From the top the view is exceptional. There are also equipped areas
- 8 Mount of Roses.
- 9 Mount Colomba.
- 10 Cangialoso Lace.
- 11 Mondello lace.
Religious buildings
- 12 Hermitage of Santa Rosalia alla Quisquina. This hermitage is located along the slopes of Mount Quisquina at 986 m a.s.l. It was built around the mid-1600s in the place where Santa Rosalia remained in hermitage inside a cave for twelve years (probably from 1150 to 1162). The ermine grew over time thanks to donations and is now managed by the Pro Loco. In addition to the church and the monastic premises, it is possible to visit the cave of Santa Rosalia with a lying statue that represents it.
- Next to the hermitage begins the path of theSanta Rosalia itinerary.
- 13 Abbey of Santa Maria Del Bosco, SP 35 (3 km from Contessa Entellina), ☎ 39 3333279514, @[email protected].
5 € per person (Jun 2020). 
On appointment.. The beginning of the construction is not known precisely, but it is hypothesized that the primitive abbey can date back to the 13th century. The large monumental complex, an institution built to house the religious of the Benedictine Order and then passed to the Olivetan Congregation, began in the second half of the 16th century and was completed about a century later, in 1644. With the introduction of subversive laws, the patrimony it was expropriated from the Church and sold to private individuals who have maintained it for generations. The complex includes two cloisters now used as accommodation and the church in ruins due to the Belice earthquake. - 14 Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Rifesi (Reachable by hiking through country paths). Norman sanctuary from 1170 located within the park at 800 m above sea level Next to it there was a small village now in ruins. According to a legend, in 1200 a shepherd sculpted a Christ with the exception of the head. An already sculpted head of Christ was found at the foot of a tree which was then struck by lightning which reduced it to the shape of a cross.
5 € per person (Jun 2020). 
On appointment.. The beginning of the construction is not known precisely, but it is hypothesized that the primitive abbey can date back to the 13th century. The large monumental complex, an institution built to house the religious of the Benedictine Order and then passed to the Olivetan Congregation, began in the second half of the 16th century and was completed about a century later, in 1644. With the introduction of subversive laws, the patrimony it was expropriated from the Church and sold to private individuals who have maintained it for generations. The complex includes two cloisters now used as accommodation and the church in ruins due to the Belice earthquake.Other
15 Andromeda Theater, Contrada Rocca, ☎ 39 328 767 1914, @[email protected]. 5 € (Aug 2019). Mon-Sun 10:00 - 12:30 and 15:00 - 20:00. This theater was built by a pastor artist named Lorenzo Reina, owner of the land on which it stands which he thought of building a theater inspired by the shape of the Andromeda constellation for which there are only 108 seats. In addition to being placed in a panoramic point from which you can see Santo Stefano, you can admire the landscape of central Sicily and on the days of the summer solstice the disc placed in front of the stage door casts a shadow on the circle of the stage. Same thing for one of the statues with an open mouth, from which the sun passes through the mouth in those days. The entire theater is a work of art to be admired.
- 16 Gorges of Sosio (Listi dû firriatu) (It is accessed from under the 2 bridge of the former railway and then continue against the tide.). A rocky canyon of 8 km in which the Sosio river flows which delimits the boundaries between the provinces of Palermo and Agrigento. It is possible to take an aquatic excursion along the river course as the average water level is rather low.
- 17 Hippana archaeological site (Mountain of Horses) (south of Prizzi). The site is related to a city identified as Happana, although not all archaeologists agree on this. From the excavations carried out, the acropolis and the theater were found.
- 18 Stone of the Saracens.
- 19 Solomon's stone.
- 20 Gristia Castle (Next to the entrance to the Sosio river, near the bridge of the former railway). Located on top of the Sosio river.
- 21 Calatamauro Castle. Abandoned castle.
- 22 Archaeological area of Monte Adranone (Tomb of the Queen), C.da Vanera (at about 1000 m a.s.l. north of Sambuca), ☎ 39 0925 946083. Full € 6, reduced € 3 (Jun 2020). Mon-Sun 09: 00-18: 30. The site of Monte Adranone was colonized by Selinunte in the 6th century BC and subsequently conquered by Carthage in the 4th century BC In 250 BC was razed to the ground by Rome. Today it preserves intact the various areas of an ancient city, with the necropolis, in which there is the so-called "Tomb of the Queen", with the farm, used as an artisan area, with the inhabited center, where you can admire the sanctuary, the craft area, warehouses and shops, and with the acropolis, where there is the temple. The perimeter of the city consists of a mighty wall about 15 km long.
What to do
The park is suitable for excursions according to various already traced and well-known hiking trails. A list of trails can be consulted here.
- Sanctuaries of Santo Stefano Quisquina - it is a 15 km itinerary starting from Santo Stefano Quisquina and passes by Monte San Calogero, the Serra della Moneta and the Serra della Quisquina.
- Santa Rosalia itinerary
- Mount Carcaci. Ring route of about 7 km with a gradient of 300 m and a time of 3 and a half hours.
- 1 Equipped area (Equipped area of Monte Genuardo). Have a picnic in a picnic area.
Shopping
Where to eat
- 1 Trattoria Il Gelso Bianco, Contrada Sosio, Prizzi, ☎ 39 091 834 8696.
Where stay
Hotels
- 1 Casale Borgia Resort, C.da Favara di Borgia, Palazzo Adriano, ☎ 39 091 834 8774.
Shelters
The following list includes marked refuges for which the conditions and the possibility of staying there should be better consulted by calling 39 840700839:
- 2 Don Michele House (mount Genuardo). There are support points (bed benches, kitchen and wood stoves)
- 3 Giammanchieri house (Monte Genuardo). There are support points (bed benches, kitchen and wood stoves)
- 4 Ferina Refuge. There are support points (bed benches, kitchen and wood stoves)
- 5 Muscola Refuge. There are support points (bed benches, kitchen and wood stoves)
- 6 Casa Di Rosa. There are support points (bed benches, kitchen and wood stoves)
- 7 Campello Grande. There are bivouacs (bed benches, kitchen, electric light, toilets, fireplace)
- 8 Capraria House. There are support points (bed benches, kitchen and wood stoves)
- 9 Leone House. There are support points (bed benches, kitchen and wood stoves)
- 10 Acque Bianche Refuge. There are bivouacs (bed benches, kitchen, electric light, toilets, fireplace)
- 11 Catera house. There are bivouacs (bed benches, kitchen, electric light, toilets, fireplace)
- 12 Ciccarello House. There are bivouacs (bed benches, kitchen, electric light, toilets, fireplace)
- 13 Cammarata Refuge. There are bivouacs (bed benches, kitchen, electric light, toilets, fireplace)
- 14 Refuge of the Eriche. There are support points (bed benches, kitchen and wood stoves)
- 15 Small haystack. haystack
- 16 Great haystack. haystack
Safety
The paths are not always clearly marked. It is highly recommended to have a detailed map or to use apps with OSM.
How to keep in touch
Around
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Monti Sicani Park
Commons contains images or other files on Monti Sicani Park
