Riserva naturale orientata Monte Capodarso e Valle dell'Imera Meridionale, Regional nature reserve in Caltanissetta and Enna provinces, Sicily, Italy.
The reserve is a protected nature area spanning roughly 1,485 hectares (3,670 acres) across Caltanissetta and Enna provinces, encompassing Monte Capodarso's slopes, the Imera Meridionale river valley, and varied rock formations. Mineralized waters flow across evaporitic deposits throughout the territory, creating the landscape's defining hydrological character.
The reserve was established in 1999 and incorporates three former sulfur mines - Trabonella, Giumentaro, and Giumentarello - that belonged to Sicily's once-major mining industry. These abandoned mines represent an important chapter in the island's industrial and economic past.
Ancient Greek settlements with stone-cut staircases dot the landscape alongside traditional Sicilian farming estates featuring distinctive baglio courtyards. These structures shape how the territory looks and reveal how communities organized their lives across different periods.
The reserve can be accessed through highways SS626, SS191, and SS560, with multiple entry points leading to different sections suitable for walking and nature observation. Explore at your own pace without special gear, though sturdy shoes are helpful given the varied terrain throughout the protected area.
The reserve supports specialized brackish marsh plants adapted to mineralized waters that form over salty geological deposits. This unusual inland saltwater ecosystem, often missed by visitors, represents an unexpected natural feature shaped by the territory's geology.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
