The main characteristic feature of the landscape Nebrodi is a great diversity of landforms, rich vegetation and wetlands. The Arabs called Nebrodi as “Island in the Island” and the reason was the richness of forests, green pastures, quiet lakes and bubbling streams – the country so different from the image of dry and sun-scorched Sicily.

Nature Reserve (Parco naturale) Nebrodi was founded in 1993 and covers the most important and largest forested area of Sicily (about 50,000 ha). Despite of the deteriorating conditions of environmental, 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 twentieth century, the population of vultures extinct during the 60′s due to poisoned baits for foxes. Among the current, often scarce inhabitants of Nebrodi are porcupine, wild cat, pine marten, greenish turtle, mud turtle, frog, and colorful green jumper. Area of Nebrodi includes 150 bird species, many of them are endemic.

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 also the beautiful natural scenery.

The highest peak of Nebrodi is the Monte Soro (1,817 m).

View The Nebrodi Mountains – the largest forested area of Sicily, Italy in a larger map

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Parco dell’Uccellina, Italy by Rik & Ste

While consisting as an animal reserve today, the area where Parco dell’Uccellina has been inhabited since the Lower Paleolithic Era. There has been evidence uncovered which dates the first human settlements in Parco dell’Uccellina back 500,000 years ago. Other artifacts have been uncovered which dates back to the Wurm Ice Age which occurred 90,000 years ago.

There are a number of caves in Parco dell’Uccellina which were inhabited by Neanderthals. The most important of these caves is the Fabbrica Cave in which a number of High and Medium Paleolithic Era artifacts have been uncovered. Then there is the Golino Cave in which artifacts dating back to the Medium Paleolithic Era were uncovered back in 1865. Finally, there is the Scoglietto Cave in which some of the oldest known discoveries were made.

In Parco dell’Uccellina, near the city of Grosseto, you will find the ancient San Rabano Abbey which dates back to the 9th or 10th century. There are many other monuments, and churches which can be found throughout the region which dates back to the 13th century.

Countless people make their way to Parco dell’Uccellina to not only see some of Italy’s wildlife in their natural habitat, but to also see some of the oldest known human settlements in the country. There is a lot of history hiding in and around the natural reserve of Parco dell’Uccellina that is just waiting for you to explore and experience firsthand.

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