Riserva naturale orientata Isola Bella, Nature reserve on a small island in Taormina, Italy
Description
Riserva Naturale Orientata Isola Bella is a protected area of about one square kilometer situated near Taormina, connected to the mainland by a sand strip. The site combines Mediterranean vegetation with tropical plantings, and its surrounding waters support diverse marine life.
History
The island was gifted to Taormina by Ferdinand I of Bourbon in 1806 and subsequently changed hands several times before becoming a nature reserve. This protection was established to safeguard the area's natural diversity.
Culture
The site contains remnants of ancient Roman structures and a museum within Florence Trevelyan's former residence displaying natural history collections.
Practical
Access to the island is available daily except Mondays from morning until sunset, with organized visits limited to small groups of about 15 people. Comfortable footwear is recommended since small staircases and narrow paths run throughout the area.
Did you know?
Underwater archaeological remains, including shipwreck fragments, lie in the surrounding waters and bear witness to centuries of human activity in these seas. These submerged relics are part of the protected natural heritage and carry their own maritime stories.
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Ancient theatre of Taormina
755 m
Isola Bella
18 m
Basilica of St. Nicholas of Bari
1.6 km
Corvaja Palace
1.2 km
Cable cars in Taormina
568 m
Casa Cuseni
1.8 km
San Giuseppe
1.4 km
Santa Caterina
1.2 km
Castello di Monte Tauro
1.5 km
Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano
1.7 km
San Pancrazio
1.1 km
Grotta Azzurra
397 m
Mazzaro beach
596 m
Roman Odeum of Taormina
1.2 km
San Nicolò
2.3 km
Sant'Agostino
1.3 km
Visitazione
1.4 km
Sant'Antonio di Padova
1.3 km
Castello di Monte Tauro
1.5 km
Spiaggia di Spisone
1.4 km
Spiaggia di Villagonia
1.5 km
Torre dell'orologio
1.4 km
Former church of San Giovanni di Malta
1.5 km
Ex chiesa di Santa Maria del Piliere
1.2 km
Villa comunale
957 m
Spiaggetta delle Sirene
835 m
Palass Ciampoli
1.5 km
Taormina and Isola Bella
1.1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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