The Nebrodi Mountains stretch across northeastern Sicily in a green wall that surprises most visitors. This region holds the largest forested area on the island, a fact that surprises those knowing Sicily only for sun-scorched coastlines. Ancient beech and oak forests cloak the slopes. Wild horses roam the high pastures. Black Nebrodi pigs root through the undergrowth, destined for the prized salami that bears their name. Hilltop villages cling to ridges, their stone houses weathered by wind and time. The park draws fewer visitors than the coasts or Mount Etna. Those who make the journey find a Sicily that has little to do with beaches or ancient temples. It is a place of deep green shadows and quiet mountain life.
The Nebrodi Mountains, Madonie Mountains and Peloritani Mountains together form the Sicilian Apennines (Appennini Siculo). Their northern slopes point to the Tyrrhenian Sea, while in the south they border the volcanic landscape area around Mount Etna. Nature Reserve (Parco naturale) Nebrodi was founded in 1993 and covers the most important and largest forested area of Sicily (about 50,000 ha). The highest peak of Nebrodi is Monte Soro at 1,817 m.
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The Landscape and Its Diverse Ecosystems
The main characteristic feature of the landscape Nebrodi is a great diversity of landforms, rich vegetation and wetlands. The Arabs called Nebrodi the “Island in the Island” and the reason was the richness of forests, green pastures, quiet lakes and bubbling streams, a landscape so different from the image of dry and sun-scorched Sicily. The park encompasses several distinct vegetation zones. In the lower foothills, holm oak and cork oak forests dominate, their gnarled branches providing shade for grazing cattle. Higher up, at elevations between 1,000 and 1,500 metres, the forest transitions to ancient beech woods that are among the southernmost in Europe. These beech trees, some of them more than 300 years old, create a cathedral-like atmosphere with their smooth grey trunks and dense canopy. Above the tree line, the landscape opens into rolling high pastures known as the Piano dei Nebrodi, where herds of semi-wild horses and cattle roam freely. The park also contains several small lakes, including Lago Biviere and Lago Maulazzo, which are important stopover points for migrating waterbirds.
Wildlife of the Nebrodi
Despite the deteriorating environmental conditions, Nebrodi still offers the greatest wealth of fauna from all over Sicily. Some species have disappeared, unfortunately. The last wolves were killed at the end of the twentieth century, and the population of vultures became extinct during the 1960s due to poisoned baits set for foxes. Among the current, often scarce inhabitants of Nebrodi are porcupine, wild cat, pine marten, greenish turtle, mud turtle, frog, and the colourful green jumper. The area of Nebrodi includes 150 bird species, many of them endemic. The Bonelli eagle and the peregrine falcon nest on the highest cliffs, while the Sicilian rock partridge, a subspecies found nowhere else in the world, scurries through the scrubland. The most iconic resident, however, is the black Nebrodi pig, a local breed that has been raised here since ancient times. These pigs are allowed to roam freely in the oak forests, feeding on acorns, chestnuts, and wild herbs, which gives their meat a distinctive flavour. The resulting salami, prosciutto, and sausages are protected by Slow Food and DOP designations.
Hilltop Villages and Local Traditions
Scattered across the Nebrodi are dozens of hilltop villages that seem frozen in time. Towns like San Fratello, Troina, and Cesar have populations that have been declining for decades, but their medieval cores remain remarkably well preserved. Narrow stone streets wind past ancient churches, and from the town squares there are sweeping views across the forested valleys. The Nebrodi are also a place of strong culinary traditions. Local trattorias serve dishes made from the black pig, wild mushrooms gathered from the forests, and the famous Nebrodi ricotta, a fresh cheese made from sheep milk. The hiking trails lead through the protected area from the west to the east. In the ridge you can find the only wetland in Sicily, which offers beautiful natural scenery and is a haven for birdwatchers. For the best experience, visit in May or June when the wildflowers are in bloom and the pastures are at their greenest.
View The Nebrodi Mountains – the largest forested area of Sicily, Italy in a larger map
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