SHARRYLAND
Cork Grove of Niscemi
A forest of cork oaks is located southeast of Niscemi. It is one of the few remaining vestiges of the original forests in the area. The oldest oak tree in Europe lives here.
Where is
What it is and where it is
The Sughereta di Niscemi (about 3,000 hectares) is an Oriented Natural Reserve, meaning a protected area where some agricultural activities are allowed, as long as they are not harmful to the environment. It was established by the Sicilian Region in 1997 to protect what remained of the largest cork oak forest in south-central Sicily.
Why it is special
The reserve is dominated by cork oaks (Quercus suber) and holm oaks (Quercus ilex), and the undergrowth is the typical and lush Mediterranean scrub: strawberry trees, wild olive trees, myrtles... But the biodiversity is great: 600 species of plants, including 30 species of orchids. The fauna is also remarkable: the Environmental Education Center in Niscemi has counted 122 species of birds, 16 of mammals, 14 of reptiles, and 4 of amphibians. There are also rarities here, such as the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and Bonelli's eagle.
Not to be missed
The queen of the Sughereta is certainly the Great Oak, or Mosaic Oak. We can say that with its 400 years it has seen the birth of the city of Niscemi! According to popular tradition, the founding of Niscemi dates back to 1599, when a shepherd found a miraculous image of the Madonna in the forest. The Great Oak is considered the oldest cork oak in Europe. It is one of the great patriarchs, vegetal monuments of incomparable beauty and magic. To embrace it… you need at least four people!
A bit of history
Cork oaks once covered south-central Sicily. Reckless human use has seriously endangered this habitat, and now only the Sughereta di Niscemi and the Santo Pietro forest in Caltagirone remain. They are called “relicts,” living testimonies of ancient natural habitats. Don't be deceived by the term: they are tenacious and far from giving up!
Beautiful and accessible
The Sughereta is crossed by many trails, to be done on foot, by mountain bike, and on horseback, preferably with the nature guides of the Environmental Education Center, who will reveal you the secrets of the forest. There is also a path for the visually impaired, with a handrail rope serving as a guide and some informational panels in braille.
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