Visit the Hyblaean Mountains
The Hyblaean Mountains (Monti Iblei in Italian)area is characterized by a hilly range straddling the provinces of Catania, Ragusa and Syracuse.
It is a region renowned for its olive oil and for its natural beauties, archaeological sites and peaceful villages.
The highest peak is Monte Lauro with an altitude of 986 meters, from here flows several rivers: Irminio and Anapo, the most famous.
The Hyblaean Mountains are characterized by limestone hills and semi-desert plateaus. Possible to find flint nodule in limestone, which was used throughout prehistory and protohistory for the manufacture of tools and weapons. Along the sea there is the sandy rock (called Giuggiulena because it crumbles) and on the mountains there is also volcanic rock, evidence of a submarine volcanic complex, several million years old, before the birth of Mount Etna.
The rivers have eroded the plain and for this reason there are many canyons (Cava in Italian), gorges and ravines.
In its highest part extend the woods of holm oaks which, going down to the coast, are replaced by Mediterranean vegetation, then fields of carob, almond and olive trees, vines or orchards.
Why choose the Hyblaean Mountains for your holiday in Sicily
NATURE
ARCHAEOLOGY
SPORTS
RURAL CULTURE
SICILIAN BAROQUE
AUTHENTIC LIFE
The beauty of a holiday in Hyblaean mountains area is given by the variety of landscapes (limestone mountains or volcanic origin, gorges with crystal clear waters where to swim, sandy or rocky beaches), as well by the contrast between the baroque towns of Val di Noto: Modica, Ragusa, Scicli, Noto (UNESCO World Heritage) and the Peasant Culture.
The possibility of visiting many archaeological remains from prehistory to the Sicilian Middle Ages.
Many times the remains are located in natural sites where it is possible to walk and/or ride a bike.
The contrast is also given by a landscape of hills where nature is wild, the countryside and finally the sea.
It is a region that offers many treasures!
There are charming villages, known as Italy’s most beautiful towns:
Ferla, the gate of the necropolis of Pantalica;
Palazzolo Acreide with the remains of the Greek-Roman town of Akrai;
Monterosso Almo, set of many Italian movies.
Other Villages of Character
Buccheri
With its 820 m of altitude, is the highest town in the province of Syracuse. Every year you can attend the most important medieval festival in Sicily. The Norman castle ruins remember us of its past. The city is built mainly with lava stone from Monte Lauro. Surrounded by woods, it is possible to visit some old Neviera (volcanic stone building where they collected snow that was sold to hospitals but also for culinary purposes). The neviera was a real local trade with other cities of Sicily and even Malta.
Chiaramonte Gulfi
Chiaramonte Gulfi (in the province of Ragusa) also called Balcony of Sicily for its panoramic position, with a view over the valley of Ippari and its towns (Comiso, Vittoria, Acate) and as far as the Mediterranean Sea if you look to the south, to Mount Etna in a northerly direction and the Ereans mountains with Caltagirone if you look west. It is a city of many archaeological sites from the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as ruins dating back to the Greek archaic and Hellenistic times. Also known for the production of extra virgin olive oil and for the production of high quality wine.
Giarratana
Giarratana (in the province of Ragusa), a village that resembles a Christmas crib, with a rural character and beautiful churches and nature in the surroundings. Also known for the cultivation of a local product: the onion of Giarratana. During the summer, there is a medieval festival that I love.