Riserva naturale orientata Capo Gallo
Riserva Naturale Orientata Capo Gallo is a nature reserve in the metropolitan city of Palermo on the north coast of Sicily .
Location and dates
The nature reserve is located at Capo Gallo northwest of Palermo between the suburbs Mondello and Sferracavallo and extends over part of the ridge of Monte Gallo , the slope of the promontory and the coastal strip. In total, the nature reserve covers an area of 585.83 hectares. 484.37 hectares of this belong to Zone A (strictly protected area) and 101.46 hectares to Zone B (moderately protected area). In front of the coast is the marine reserve Area marina protetta Capo Gallo - Isola delle Femmine .
The area was declared a nature reserve by the regional assessor for nature conservation on June 21, 2001 and the preparatory work on the neglected area began (the back of Monte Gallo is still spoiled by the remains of illegal buildings). On May 18, 2003, the Capo Gallo nature reserve was officially opened. This date was chosen based on the opening of the first Sicilian nature reserve Riserva naturale orientata dello Zingaro on May 18, 1960.
The responsible forest authority is the Azienda Regionale Foreste Demaniali Regione Siciliana .
History and geology
The area of Monte Gallo was formed in the Mesozoic Era 225 million years ago. It consists of limestone rocks that have been washed out by erosion and altered natural movements of the earth. The area is criss-crossed by a ramified system of caves , grottos and ditches . Finds of animal bones indicate that animals found shelter there before humans. Including the extinct Sicilian pygmy elephant , hippos and deer . Wrought obsidian and pebbles were found , which indicate the presence of people in the Neolithic Age (hunters and gatherers) who sought refuge here from the harsh winters. Finds of ceramic shards indicate human use of the caves in the Bronze Age and Copper Age . Hundreds of wall drawings and engravings have been discovered in the Grotta Regina . They mostly show animals and battle scenes and date from the Punic period. They represent the oldest sanctuary of this kind in the Mediterranean. Most of the caves can only be reached by water.
The ways
There are three entrances to the reserve. One on the west side from Sferracavallo , and two east from Mondello . The western path leads along the coast and ends after about 1.5 km at Punta Tara. From the path branch off the seagull path ( sentiero dei gabbiani ) and the sentiero dei cavaddari (it. Cavalieri) equestrian path , on which riders used to patrol to protect the coast from pirates from the sea.
An eastern coastal path begins at the old Mondello watchtower and ends after 1.5 km at the old Capo Gallo lighthouse . A second path leads from Mondello to the back of Monte Capo Gallo to a typical water collection basin and grottos. It is not possible to hike around the Cape.
flora
The karst nature reserve of Cape Gallo is home to diverse vegetation. Some plants can only be found here. So the Palermo beach lilac and chamomile Capo Gallo. In addition, wild pistachios (mastic), prickly asparagus , gorse gasparini, the rare orchid from Branchoforte, pines and carob trees grow here .
fauna
The bird world is particularly rich here. The name of Pizzo Vutturu (it. Avvoltoio), which could be translated as "peak of the vulture", still reminds of the former occurrence of vultures . Birds of prey include peregrine falcons , buzzards , kestrels and Sicilian sparrowhawks . In addition, there are tawny owls , robins , chickadees, finches and stained mainly kings or Mediterranean gulls . Except for foxes and wild rabbits , as well as the Sicilian shrew (Crocidura sicula), only a few mammals live in this barren landscape .
Among reptiles there are emerald lizards , as amphibians a rare species of toad that was chosen as the landmark of the reserve; there are also calcifying mollusks and crustaceans , which are also known as living fossils.
Web links
- Insight into the underwater fauna (Italian)
- Description of the reserve (Italian)
- Description of the reserve (English)