Among the most suggestive itineraries that can be done on our island, there is certainly that of the Eastern Timpa Nature Reserve, commonly called The Timpa; it is a large naturalistic area which covers a strip of land of approximately 225 hectares, between the coast between Catania e Riposto and the Acese hinterland. The Timpa is a lava escarpment overlooking the Ionian Sea., which goes from Chief Mills in Santa Tecla, among the Mediterranean vegetation and the thousand-year-old lava flows that tell the story geology of Etna.
The peculiarity of this site, one of a kind, is that connects the sea to the mountainThe visual contrast between the the black of the lava stone, the deep blue of the sea, the green, on which the scent of orange blossom is imprintedNowhere else in Europe is there a site like Timpa, stretching for 7 kilometers, with small beaches and hidden mooring spots.
La Eastern Timpa Nature Reserve It was established in 1999 by the Department of Territory and Environment of the Sicily Region. Together with theLachea IslandThe area is a natural open-air laboratory where Sicily's geo-volcanic history is preserved.
Origin and conformation
The origin and conformation of this particular natural landscape, dating back to over 200.000 years ago, are the result of volcanic activity.'Etna, during the various phases of its formation: as evidence of the eruptive phases that occurred directly below sea level, there are the pillowsRound lava blocks formed by specific phenomena during underwater eruptions. The terrain and rocks visible along the Timpa can be traced back to three eruptive periods: Ancient Alkaline Eruptive Centers, Formation of the Cloverleaf, Mongibello Formation.
They are noticed tuff banks, lahars, tufites and pyroclasticsThe presence of a clay base beneath the volcanic material also caused the creation of several water sourcesThe walls of the tympa They are very steep, with cliffs that stand out against the sky reaching suggestive heights.
Of particular importance are also some stretches close to the coastal strip, where high basaltic colonnades, similar to those present in the Gorges of AlcantaraThey were formed by a process of lava crystallization upon contact with water. The columnar walls are spectacular and are also found on the surrounding seabed.
The Timpa also presents ancient natural caves, cliffs with inlets and finally a citrus-growing plain.
Itineraries
This area, in addition to preserving the most ancient products of Etna's eruptive activity, preserves the ancient memory of the Etna coastal rural landscape with the terracing in lava stone, the small internal walkways, the irrigation channels and the dry stone walls. Officially, there are three paths in the reserve:
The ChiazzetteIn Sicilian, "chiazza" means square, hence the name "chiazzette." They represent the old road connecting Acireale and Santa Maria la Scala, which in ancient times was called Aci ScaleIt consists of seven hairpin bends, each with a stretch of level ground, used by traders, fishermen and washerwomen, who rested here between one ramp and the next under the shade of the trees.
The Fortress of Touch: beyond the first small square stands the Fortezza del Tocco, a bastion Built in the first half of the 17th century, it played a strategic role in defending against pirates. Its name derives from the sound of the cannon that signaled pirate attacks. It is one of the city's major tourist attractions. Ionian Riviera: from here you can enjoy a spectacular view.
The old railway lineImmersed in the wild nature of Timpa, among the remains of lava caves and groves. Three tunnels carved into the rock provide shelter from the heat.
There are also i paths of Santa Caterina and the Great Waters, and that of Newspaper.
The village of Santa Maria La Scala
At the foot of the central section of the reserve is the seaside village, almost of Verga's memory, of Santa Maria La Scala. Here are the pebble beaches called “cuddles”, Water springs and ancient volcanoes invite us to dive into the blue sea. The village centers around the small harbor known as "Scalo Grande." Old, experienced fishermen still repair their nets on the pier, and elderly weavers embroider. The seaside village of Santa Maria La Scala is famous for its natural beauty, such as the Cave of the Doves which, according to legend, was the love refuge of Acis and Galatea. In the southern part is a mill is visible powered by Miuccio spring. The 17th century church is also evocative, dedicated to Madonna della Scala, celebrated on the last Sunday of August with a folkloristic seaside festival.
Flora
La plant species of the Reserve bears the distinctive features of the Mediterranean scrub with large expanses of olive trees, prickly pears, almond trees, carob trees, citrus groves, shrubs or small evergreen and sclerophyll treesi (with leathery leaves), climbing plantsThe dense vegetation limits the filtration of light to the ground, greatly reducing the number of herbaceous plants present. Other shrub species present are theanagyris fetida, artemisa arborescens, rhamnus alaternusAlong the coastal strip that covers the reserve, there are highly specialized herbaceous species that resist well to an environment with notable soil drought, due to saltiness, among which the sea fennel. In the northern area there are remains of what was once the Aci forest. There are also the caper, carob, gorse, downy oak, hackberry, mastic, euphorbia and valerian fuchsia.
Fauna
La The fauna It is mainly composed of small mammals such as the hedgehog and weasel and above all from the birds, with beautiful specimens of herring gulls. The Timpa Nature Reserve is populated by numerous animal species, which, thanks also to the difficult access for humans, find an ideal habitat. In fact, the protected area is home to: wild rabbits, hedgehogs, foxes, reptiles such as leopard snakes and wall lizardsDue to the summer fires, some reptile species have disappeared: this is the case of the tortoise. The sky is covered by: the peregrine falcon, cormorant, kestrel and buzzard, wren, blackbird, scops owl, barn owl and little owl. With the arrival of warm temperatures, the swallow, thehoopoe e the black-eyed warbler (Mediterranean bird).
Depths
Rich in life are also the lava seabeds of the Timpa Sea. They find refuge in the cavities of the volcanic seabed Octopuses and Moray EelsThe seabed is very rich in free calcareous algae (Melobesia). There are approximately 300 types of algae belonging to Rhodophyta (red algae), Clorophyta (green algae), and Phaeophyta (brown algae)Among the fish it is not difficult to find young ones Monacelle, schools of silvery whitebait, opes and salemas. The Timpa seabed is also famous for its wealth of molluscs such as Ox-eyes and Sea UrchinsAmong the crustaceans, various species of crabs and hermit crabs and deeper we find some LobstersThe sheer surface walls offer a wonderful spectacle with yellow and pink corals.
Timpaviva
La Timpa is the vital lung for Acireale. It has been the location of the event for many years now Timpaviva, a celebration, a festival, an exhibition, a cultural event, where art, entertainment and nature are wonderfully combined. The festival has been organized, since its first edition in 2009, byBarock cultural association, formed by a group of young people from Acese aimed at promote, develop, disseminate and enhance culture in all its aspects.
In the gallery, photos of Timpaviva taken by Cristina Chinaski.
How to Get There
We often persist in seeking exotic and faraway destinations for our holidays and fail to realize how fortunate we are to have something right on our doorstep.
The La Timpa Nature Reserve is just a few kilometers from Catania. Just take the State Road SS 114 and from here decide on the best detour. You will find several, given that the Reserve occupies a stretch of coast occupied by several seaside villages and all the coastal strip of Acireale.
we at #ItCatania We recommend visiting this place, which will immerse you in nature and enjoy a unique view.
Sources:
https://www.etnatracking.com/sentieri-natura-catania/la-timpa-mappa
http://www.ruralbox.it
https://www.etnanatura.it
https://www.visitsicily.travel/natura/riserve-naturali/riserva-naturale-orientata-la-timpa/
https://www.pucciosan.it/video/timpa-di-acireale/
