Sicily - Virtu Ferries

Madonie Regional Natural Park
NATURAL PARKS
The Madonie Regional Natural Park is located in Sicily, between Palermo and Cefalù and covers 39,972
acres.
It includes the Madonie mountain range and some of the highest mountains in Sicily. The park has six
mountains that are over 1,500 metres and many more that are over 1,000 metres. The highest is Pizzo
Carbonara at 1,979 metres, second in height only to Mount Etna.
As well as being a nature reserve, the park is an inhabited area with dozens of little villages and small towns
many of which trace their origins to medieval times. The park is also home to a number of castles and
numerous ancient churches. The wild mountainous slopes are inhabited by wolves, wildcats and eagles as
well as being a habitat to the rare, nearly-extinct Nebrodi fir tree.
The regional park was officially created on 9 November 1989. Within the park area there are outcrops of
rocks which have been dated at over a 200-million-year period and represent all aspects of the geology of
Sicily apart from the current volcanic activity. The collaboration of the Madonie Park authorities and the
European Geoparks Network has allowed the research of students and lecturers of University of Palermo
Department of Geology and Geodesy. Studies have been made, papers published and educational paths
mapped out with signs erected with information on the ground. Madonie Geopark is a member of the
European Geoparks Network and the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.
The park is made up from fifteen municipalities of the province of Palermo in Sicily (Caltavuturo, Castelbuono,
Castellana Sicula, Cefalù, Collesano, Geraci Siculo, Gratteri, Isnello, Petralia Soprana, Petralia Sottana, Polizzi
Generosa, Pollina, San Mauro Castelverde, Scillato and Sclafani Bagni).
http://www.parcodellemadonie.it/