cover photo by Fiorenzo Fiorenza
The information about this location have been automatically translated with Microsoft Translator. Rank : 9.0 (average on 1 votes)Coordinates : 37.2206592, 15.1056936 ( Open in Google Maps) Subjects : The Integral Nature Reserve "Villasmundo Speleological Complex - S. Alfio" embraces the valley engravings of Rio's Belluzza and Cugno torrents. Although not very extensive, it offers many possibilities for naturalistic photography. A wide variety of insects (butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, etc.), reptiles (lizards, ramarri, bisce), amphibians, birds (birds, sparrows and the coturnice sicula) and small mammals (hedgehogs, rabbits, foxes) find their ideal habitat; in addition to a rich and varied flora, typical of the Mediterranean bush, ranging from sunbed glades with hedges of hawthorn, rosehip, euphoria, salvion, asphodels, orchids, etc., to dense oak and oak forests where you can also find various species of Mushrooms.Recommended equipment : For the naturalistic photo: macro lenses and pushed telephoto lenses. For the wide-angle optical landscape and tripod.Best months : Although available all year round, the best time runs from the beginning of spring until late autumn due to the abundance of flora and fauna; that is, for our climate, from early March to the whole of November. Excursions should be avoided during heavy rains due to the risk of flash floods or landslides.How to get there : By car, from the Catania-Siracusa highway take the exit to Sortino. At the intersection of the SP2 and SP60 with the SP95, turn left in the direction of "Villasmundo" and travel a series of six hairpin bends in a slight descent. At the bottom of the valley, before a jumper, on the left is the entrance.Visits : The caves, zone A of the reserve, are accessible only to experienced cavers equipped with the necessary authorization of the governing body, which is the C.U.T.G.A.N.A., and only for scientific research purposes. Zone B of the reserve, which includes the entire outdoor area, is freely available to the public provided you walk and comply with the reserve regulations.Notes : The Villasmundo-S.Alfio Speleological Complex is composed of two caves of karst origin, whose entrances are near the riverbed of Rio's Cugno Tower: the Cave of Villasmundo (one of the largest cavities in Sicily) and the Alfio Cave. Both are active, they are part of the same system of sliding of the underground waters; rising waters near the entrance to the reserve. Due to their complexity, the caves are only passable with specific equipment (in addition to the aforementioned authorization) and are equipped with gates for the safety of hikers. | | Nearby: Saline (e Ex Saline) di Augusta 11 km
Saline di Priolo 13 km
Riserva naturale orientata Pantalica, Valle dell'Anapo e Torrente Cava Grande 19 km
Oasi del Simeto 20 km
Saline di Siracusa 24 km
Siracusa 24 km
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