Riserva naturale integrale Isola di Lachea e Faraglioni dei Ciclopi, Nature reserve in Aci Castello, Italy.
The reserve consists of Lachea Island and the Cyclops Rocks, displaying volcanic formations emerging from Mediterranean waters near Sicily's eastern coast.
The University of Catania received management rights of the island and its seven adjacent rocks in 1896 from Senator Luigi Gravina for scientific studies.
Greek mythology connects these formations to the tale of Polyphemus, who allegedly threw rocks at Odysseus's ship during their legendary encounter.
The Lachea Island biological station contains a museum exhibiting specimens of local birds, marine life, and geological formations for research purposes.
The reserve protects an endemic lizard species, Podarcis siculus ciclopica, which exists exclusively within this small archipelago's boundaries.
Location: Aci Castello
Operator: Università degli Studi di Catania
GPS coordinates: 37.56137,15.16624
Latest update: March 3, 2025 01:11
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