Pantalica

Going to visit the reserve of Pantalica means hiking in the history, culture and nature of the south-east Sicily. Unesco World Heritage Site in 2005, it covers 3,712 hectares in the territories of Sortino, Ferla, Cassaro, Buscemi and Palazzolo Acreide.

The protected area also includes La valle dell’Anapo and Cavagrande stream.
Over thousands of years the two rivers that run through the area (Anapo and Calcinara) have created a deep canyon which characterizes the morphology.

The first to tell about Pantalica was Thucydides, which fixes the birth in 792 BC. The first inhabitants of these rocks were the Sicilians – “the people of the bees” – so called because they live in the caves they had dug in the stone. They built the cemetery, the largest of Sicily with over 5000 tombs, in natural caves hollowed into the bare rock. After the Sicilians the Greeks came: they first fortified Pantalica but then shifted their interests and settlements on the coast to Syracuse, abandoning the hinterland. Only in the sixth century AD these areas were inhabited, when the Byzantines because of the continuous invasions of pirates were forced to seek refuge in the highlands of the hinterland. Besides the obvious historical interest, Syracuse is a must for its beautiful scenery. An oasis where in summer you can dive into the emerald,waters of its lakes.

A little paradises which give the visitor moments of absolute peace in contact with nature. Canyoning activity is viable; going upstream Calcinara you will come across exciting scenery, rich in waterfalls, rivers, caves, and high limestone walls, where the sunlight plays with the thick vegetation, and gives suggestive movement of light. Also flora and fauna make the show; many hikers go to Pantalica to birdwaching or just to stay in contact with nature.

Entrances: From Ferla (Stella di Filiporto) or Sortino
Cycle-tourist path (former railway line)
West entrance of the reserve 12 km (one way).