Riserva naturale orientata Monte Altesina

The Monte Altesina Reserve extends across 744 hectares of central Sicily, featuring Mediterranean forests and diverse mountain landscapes at 1,192 meters elevation.

The Romans named this mountain Mons Aereus, and its summit contains archaeological remains of Greek settlements from the first millennium BC.

The mountain slopes house the ruins of Santa Maria dell'Artisina convent, established by hermitic monks around 1100 as San Girolamo di Lartisina monastery.

The reserve maintains six nature trails through the forest, with plans for a visitor center and ethnographic museum at the Altesinella farmhouse.

A 10th-century Kufic inscription remains visible on the mountain rock face, marking the period of Saracen rule in Sicily.

Location: Leonforte

Location: Nicosia

Inception: July 25, 1997

Website: http://regione.sicilia.it/Agricolturaeforeste/Azforeste/Riserve/riserva.asp?key=10

GPS coordinates: 37.66060,14.29980

Latest update: March 7, 2025 20:58