Per chi ama escursioni, riserve naturali e paesaggi mozzafiato: un itinerario tra le meraviglie naturali più suggestive del sud-est siciliano.
Nel cuore della natura
Ispica, Modica, Ragusa, Santa Croce Camerina, Scicli
Biodiversità, Natura, Panorami, Scorci fotografici
1-2 giorni
In auto
Fun Fact: I pantani di Ispica sono un punto strategico per il birdwatching, soprattutto durante le migrazioni primaverili.
The route:
Quarry of Ispica and Forza Park
Quarry of Ispica is a river valley stretching about 13 km between Modica and Ispica, featuring rock-cut settlements that date from the Bronze Age (ca. 3000 BC) to the 14th century. The most significant area is Parco Forza, located on a fortified rocky spur known as the Fortilitium. Here you’ll find the remains of the Marchional Palace, medieval walls, the Church of the Annunziata, and hypogean structures such as stables and the famous "Centoscale" (Hundred Stairs) carved into the rock. The area is surrounded by caves, mills, rock carvings, catacombs, and an antiquarium. Today, the site is an open-air museum enhanced by cultural routes, nature excursions, and events like the living nativity scene, making it an essential destination for those who wish to explore the millennia-old relationship between humans and the environment in Sicily.
The Gorgo Salato, Bruno and Longarini Marshes
The Pantani Gorgo Salato, Bruno, and Longarini form an important system of coastal wetlands located along the southern stretch of the municipality of Ispica. They represent one of the most significant natural environments in southeastern Sicily. These brackish ponds, of natural origin, lie between sandy dunes and cultivated fields and provide valuable habitats for hundreds of migratory and resident bird species, including flamingos, herons, and black-winged stilts. The vegetation is typical of wetland areas, with reeds, rushes, and other halophytic plants. Once used for salt collection and agricultural activities, the pantani are now protected as Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) and are dedicated to sustainable uses. Popular with birdwatchers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts, they offer hiking trails and environmental education projects, actively contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of the landscape and cultural heritage of the Ispica area.
The archaeological site of Caucana
The archaeological site of Caucana preserves the remains of an ancient coastal settlement active between the 4th and 7th centuries AD, likely a port village dependent on Kamarina. Excavations reveal rectangular-plan houses, a basilica with an apse, worship areas, and stretches of road that attest to continuous settlement during the Byzantine period. The houses, built with local stone and often arranged around courtyards, reflect a simple yet functional urban layout. Overlooking the sea, Caucana represents a rare example of coastal urban archaeology in southeastern Sicily. Today, the site is accessible via marked pathways that enhance its historical and scenic value, offering visitors an immersive journey into the ancient history of the region.