The mountains of Sila, which to a large extent as National Park of the Sila was placed under protection, includes the mountainous parts and plateaus in the middle of Calabria, between Cosenza and Crotone.
background
As early as 1968, parts of the mountainous heights of Calabria were called Parco Nazionale della Calabria placed under protection, in 2002 the northern part of the park area was designated as National Park of the Sila from the southern portion of the Parco Nazionale del'Aspromonte severed.
history
Already in ancient times there was a region of Sila in the area of Gross amount, known today as Calabria.
Today the Sila from three areas, the Sila Greca in the north, which is characterized by communities that have been able to retain their Greek - Byzantine and Albanian characteristics and local dialects in some cases up to modern times, the Sila grande with the high plateaus and lakes in the center of the Sila and the Sila piccola in the south, which stretches in a semicircle from the valley of the Saveto river in the west, the south bank of Lake Ampollino to the valley of the Tacina river.
In prehistoric times the heights of the Sila with the fish-rich lakes were already settled, in antiquity the local population came into contact with the Greek colonizers who built their cities (for example Sybaris and Croton) built along the coast. After this Calabria came under Roman rule, Pech was won in the area of the Sila. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Calabria came under Byzantine rule, which communities with Greek roots still bear witness to today. Around 1045/60 the area came under the rule of the Normans, during which time the numerous Cistercian abbeys were founded.
Immigrants of Albanian origin arrived in the region in 1448/1535 and subsequently lived undisturbed, preserving their traditions and the Albanian language in thirty communities to this day.
Later, the Sila region, like the rest of Calabria, came under the rule of the Burbons in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and then in 1861 into the Kingdom of Italy. It wasn't until 1974 that the street became SS107 built which by Cosenza the Sila crosses and leads to the Ionian Sea.
landscape
The Sila consists essentially of partially wooded high plateaus with several lakes, which also serve as fresh water reservoirs for Calabria, with steep mostly wooded slopes.
The largest of the Sila lakes is the reservoir 1 Lake Cecita with an area of 12.6 km², which is used for energy production and irrigation (for cultivating the Sila potatoes), the SS117 along the shore and past the dam. It is much smaller 2 Lake Ariamacina, the 3 Lake Arvo 8 km² was also dammed up for electricity production in the 1930s. In the south lies the 4 Lake Ampollino, the elongated reservoir with its side arms also has a surface of 5½ km².
Lake Ampollino
- the elongated one Lake Ampollino delimits the Sila Grande in the south.
- the SS179 circles the slightly arched one 5 Diga di TrepidoDam wall and then circled the lake in the south. In some places there is access to the mostly wooded and steeply sloping shore of the lake. A side street leads along the north bank.
- the place Caprara with the holiday villages Villagio Baffa and Villagio Palumbo lies on the south bank. In the summer months the pubs and hotels are populated here, in winter the ski lifts are in operation, and between the seasons it is extremely quiet in the region.
- in the west the plateaus with potato fields extend, here those in southern Italy are known for their quality Patati della Sila cultivated.
Lake Arvo
- the Lago Arvo lies roughly in the middle of the Sila, it is practically surrounded by roads.
- most important place is Lorica on the north shore of the lake, here you will find restaurants, hotels and B & B's.
- a popular one Panorama path leads from Lorica along the lake shore.
Lake Cecita
- the Lake Cecita lies in the north of the Sila grande on the border with the Sila greca.
- the place Camigliatello Silano is located west of the lake on the driveway of Cosenza in the Sila.
- the nature reserve with the Giganti della Sila, majestically huge pines.
- at the eastern end is the visitor center Centro Visita Cupone with a botanical and geological trail and the natural history museum. There is also a possibility of lake access here.
Flora and fauna
The Sila is the only region in Calabria to find extensive forests (most of it was cut down for the construction of the Roman galleys), some stocks only of black pines (Pinus nigra laricio), and some stocks mixed with silver firs and beeches. These give the region a Central European look, the "fairy tale forests", reminiscent of Germany, are popular summer excursion destinations for the Calabrese, who like to walk or picnic in the coolness under the tall trees.
In contrast to the Mediterranean flora on the beaches, Calabrian soldanelles and daffodils grow here at altitudes around 1300 m in spring, later in summer asphodilla, sila gorse and Calabrian rushes on the lakes. In order to experience the enormous occurrence of gorse, especially around Lake Arvo in full bloom, a visit in June is recommended.
The animal world is also extraordinary: he still lives in the remote heights of the Sila wolf, one also rarely meets wild cats, foxes, red deer and deer. From the bird world, hawks, sparrowhawks, buzzards and also the red kite are native here.
climate
In contrast to the arid climate of Calabria's coastal regions, the heights of the Sila also have a pleasant 20 ° in summer, temperatures are around 0 ° in winter, and temperatures below zero are often measured. Due to the high rainfall around 1200 ml / year. If there is often snow on the heights of the Sila in winter, winter sports can be practiced in some places.
getting there
The nearest international airport is the Lamezia Terme Airport
(IATA: SUF).
The Sila itself is not easily accessible by public transport. With the trains of the Trenitalia / Ferrovie dello Stato can Cosenza can be easily reached, a regional line meanders southwest of the Sila through the hinterland Catanzaro. The narrow-gauge railway line Ferrovia Silana of Cosenza was just up San Giovanni in Fiore continued and reached the goal Crotone never, the railway line was definitely shut down in 1997, so that there is currently no rail traffic through the Sila.
There are plans to use the section from Camigliatello Silano to San Nicola Silvana Mansio (1406 m above sea level) for tourist purposes in the summer months with historic steam trains.
Bus connections are from Ferrovie della Calabria, IAS Autolinee and Simet offered.
The easiest way to get to the Sila is by private car: after the end of the toll motorway 
at Fisciano take the 
through Campania and the Pollino Mountains to Cosenza, from there crosses the expressway that has been expanded 
the Sila heights and leads up to Crotone on the coast of the Ionian Sea. Most of the points in the national park can be reached on provincial roads; on the winding roads, which often reach the heights in endless serpentines, progress is often slow.
Fees / permits
Access to the park area is free.
mobility
The park area is accessed by provincial roads, which, however, often overcome large differences in altitude and are extremely curvy. Within the park area you have to rely on your private vehicle, thanks to the low traffic density you can also explore the park area by bike.
Tourist Attractions
National Park of the Sila
- National Park of the Sila, Lorica di San Giovanni in Fiore, CS. Tel.: 39 (0)984 537109, Email: [email protected].
In various visitor centers you can find out about hiking suggestions and other activities in the park area:
- 1 Centro Visite Cupone, the visitor center is on Lake Cecita; A botanical garden for the visually impaired can be found here as a special feature. A 350 m long path leads past numerous plants native to Calabria, which are described on boards in Braille. Right next door is a geological path, here the rock types of the Sila massif are explained.
- in the Museo naturalistico operated by the forest supervisory authority (free entry), the fauna of the Sila (including the wolves that are still free) is presented, the inhabitants above and below the ground are shown in a cross-sectional model with prepared animals. In addition, the museum explains wood processing as the most important economic factor in the Sila of the past.
- Museo della Biociversità, Cento Visite Cupone. Tel.: 39 3391963321. The biosphere museum documents the species of the Italian flora and fauna: shady picnic areas, a toilet with drinking water taps and a playground complete the offer at the Centro Visite.Open: 09.00-13.00 / 14.00-18.00.Price: 6.00 / 4.00 €.
- 2 Centro Visita Antonio Garcea, the visitor center is on the SS179dir in the wooded area, in a subjectmuseum is informed about the forest areas of the Sila.
- 3 Centro Visita Buturo, another parking information point can be found in Buturo at SP20.
Various reserves have been specially selected in the park area:
- 6 Riserva Statale Giganti della Sila: the area with the giant trees, the "giants of the Sila", which can have a circumference of 2 - 6 m, is often visited.
- on the road to Rossano just outside the actual park area is the one operated by the WWF 7 Oasi Cozzo del Pesco with huge gnarled and partly hollowed maple and chestnut trees ("Giganti della Sila greca").
- 8 Riserva Naturale Golia Corvo: In the forest area secured with fences, the rearing of deer is carried out as part of a resettlement project.
activities
- hike In the extensive forest areas of the Sila, especially in the hot summer months, the Calabrese appreciate the summer freshness here.
- To ski: Ski tourism mainly attracts the local population in winter to the slopes of the snow-covered Sila, the "northerners" connect Calabria with other things than ski huts.
- 1 Monte Curcio at Camigliatello Silano, 2 Monte Botte Donato near Lorica above Lake Arvo, 3 Villagio Palumbo on Lake Ampollino
- in 4 Orme nel Parco an eco-adventure park with offers from rope park, mountain biking to "embracing trees" was created.
shop
kitchen
The western Sila is known for the cultivation of potatoes, which thrive here in the relatively rainy area in Calabria. A well-known product of the Sila dairy industry is the spicy semi-hard cheese Caciocavallo.
There are restaurants in the Sila mainly in Lorica, in Camigliatello, but only a few restaurants are open in the off-season.
- Particularly noteworthy is the restaurant in a former railway train at the disused station of San Nicola - Silvana Mansio on the route of the narrow-gauge railway Ferrovia della Sila:
- 1 Ristorante La Locomotiva, Stazione FC, San Nicola - Silvana Mansio, 87052 Camigliatello. Tel.: 39 (0)984 579803, 39 3384109325. Restaurant in rail car of the former narrow-gauge railway Ferrovia della Sila, from the seat view into the Sila as from a trip in the dining car. Out of season open on weekends, ask to be on the safe side, three-course tourist menu with specialties from the Sila approx. € 20.00, including pizza and panini.
accommodation
In the park area there are a number of campsites, tourist accommodation (B&B) and hotels, in some cases real tourist villages have been created. For example, in the municipality of Camigliatello Silano there are several hotels, restaurants and campsites that are also open in the off-season.
Hotels and hostels
camping
security
The security situation in the Sila is harmless, in summer it does not get too hot due to the altitude, but cold, thunderstorms and rain showers must be expected if it is sunny and hot near the coast. In the winter months, large amounts of snow can fall; winter equipment must be carried in the car.
trips
- at the entrance via Campana are the 9 Elephants of the SilaElephants of the Sila or "Le pietre della Incavallicata" worth seeing, meter-high rock formations, one of which was given the shape of a standing elephant by human hands.
- in the localities of Sila Greca with their Greek or Albanian character
Literature / web links
- Website of the Sila National Park, below Sentieri del Parco hiking suggestions can be downloaded as PDF (very helpful in this poorly mapped area) or GPX.
- Rete sentieristica del Parco Nazionale della Sila, map 1: 50,000, available at Centro Visita
