Monte Altesina Nature Reserve

"Okay"

Giuseppe Idda

"Mount Altesina, at 1,192 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in the Erei Mountains, and feeds the main source of the Dittaino River. A remnant of a holm oak grove grows on its summit. Mount Altesina is located in a strategic area, a crossroads in central Sicily. Traces of past settlements are scattered throughout the area, and their finds are exhibited at the archaeological museum of Palazzo Varisano in Enna. Those who enjoy hiking and photography will find the Mount Altesina reserve a source of interesting naturalistic observations."

Nicosiano DOP

"The Monte Altesina Nature Reserve was definitively established with the Ministerial Decree of July 25, 1997, "Establishment of the Monte Altesina Nature Reserve, falling within the municipalities of Leonforte and Nicosia," published in the Official Journal of the Italian Republic no. 3 of January 16, 1998, which states in Article 3: "The nature reserve referred to in Article 1 is typologically identified pursuant to Article 6 of Regional Law no. 14/88, as a nature reserve aimed at protecting the interesting woodland formations dominated by Quercus ilex, as well as the birdlife, particularly the great spotted woodpecker and the sparrowhawk."
The Reserve also falls within the Natura 2000 Network, established pursuant to the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) with the ITA code 060004 "Monte Altesina".
Monte Altesina is the highest peak of the Erei Mountains, with a double summit, one 1,192 meters above sea level and the other 1,180 meters above sea level.
From its summit, you can admire a 360-degree panorama of the entire island, including the highest peaks of the Madonie, Mount Etna, Mount la Guardia, and the most prominent peaks in the central-southern part of the island.
The Reserve is characterized by a holm oak forest that reaches the summit and takes on the beautiful appearance of a dense, impenetrable forest a little further down the valley. The holm oak is joined by the Virgilian oak, and the undergrowth is home to butcher's broom, cyclamen, rockrose, and more.

Fauna, in addition to being well represented by the great spotted woodpecker and birds of prey such as the buzzard and sparrowhawk, also includes foxes, wildcats, and more.

Besides its remarkable naturalistic and landscape significance, it is also an important archaeological site, demonstrated by the presence of rooms carved into the living quartz-renitic rock and by low walls and walkways that occupy the entire upper portion of the mountain."

Michele Pecoraro