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This river park was established in 2001 inside a former natural reserve and includes the part of the provinces of Messina and Catania that forms the basin of the Alcantara River; the park is actually located on the northern slope of the Etna Volcano, thus protecting and promoting the local natural environment.

The territory crossed by the Alcantara River is of particular importance due to its morphology, which features the very shaping and engraving effects of the flowing water. The latter as, for instance, created some impressive gorges among a series of lava flows in Fondaco Motta (in the Municipality of Motta Camastra): the Alcantara Gorges.

Among a spectacular succession of ponds and waterfalls, with very cold waters, it is possible to observe the amazing columnar lava structures with a prismatic base. Arranged like organ pipes, they naturally decorate long stretches of the basalt rock walls.

In 1493, Pietro Bembo described the Alcantara Valley as a thick series of plane tree, oak, and elm woods. Today, only a few specimens of Platanus orientalis have survived, while the typical Mediterranean scrub predominates with several species of broom and Peonia mascula with its red inflorescence.

Going down the slope, there are thick hazelnut woods, citrus groves and vineyards; the latter produce a dark and full-bodied wine which has been acclaimed since ancient times.

Then, there are more oak groves and pastures. In the spring, the banks of the rivers feature a mesmerizing explosion of colours made of violets, poppies, anemones, myrtle, dog roses, prickly pears, terebinth, oleanders and several species of orchids (such as Anacamptis papilionacea, Ophrys tenthredinifera and Orchis purpurea).

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)