ABOUT THE ALCANTARA RIVER PARK
On a sunny day in Autumn or Spring an excursion to the lower part of the only river-park in Sicily, the Parco Fluviale dell'Alcantara, makes for a great day out.
The Alcantara river is one of the most important rivers in Sicily. It originates in the Nebrodi Mountains near Floresta at an altitude of 1250 m, is 50 km long and empties into the sea some kilometres south of Taormina. The river was named by the Arabs Al Quantarah, meaning “bridge”. The towns situated within the park’s area preserve an important and artistic heritage. We will visit with you these small but interesting towns another time. Randazzo with its unique architecture in the black and white Etna-Baroque style, its three cathedrals and its still complete town wall, Castiglione di Sicilia and its winding narrow streets, Medieval facades and the ruins of an Arab castle, Francavilla di Sicilia, where the Monastery of the Minor Capuchin Friars, dating back to 1570, is worth a visit - the ancient refectory houses a small Ethno-Anthropolical museum and in the courtyard you will find a herbarium with local medicinal herbs. And last but not least we will take you to the impressing castle of Calatabiano.
HOW TO GET TO THE SMALL GORGES OF ALCANTARA
