Riserva naturale orientata Bosco di Santo Pietro, Nature reserve in Caltagirone and Mazzarrone, Italy
Riserva naturale orientata Bosco di Santo Pietro is a protected area covering roughly 6,500 hectares on a sandy plateau with valleys and elevations above 390 meters. The landscape is crossed by marked trails that connect different sections through the terrain.
In 1160, Norman King Roger I granted about 30,000 hectares of forest to the inhabitants of Caltagirone as a reward for their support against the Saracens. This generous land grant shaped the relationship between the people and the woodland for centuries to come.
The Mediterranean Scrub Museum in a renovated building within the reserve displays exhibits about local vegetation and regional ecosystems. Visitors can learn how the plant life connects to the natural conditions of the landscape.
The reserve has marked hiking trails open year-round, with spring and autumn offering the best conditions for observing wildlife. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are especially important because of the sandy and hilly terrain.
The area is home to fifty monumental cork oak trees, among the oldest and largest of their kind in the region. At the same time, it serves as habitat for ninety-six bird species, including the great spotted woodpecker.
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