Riserva naturale orientata Isola Bella, Nature reserve on a small island in Taormina, Italy
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.
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.
The site contains remnants of ancient Roman structures and a museum within Florence Trevelyan's former residence displaying natural history collections.
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.
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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