Calaforno Forest Park in Giarratana

Il Calaforno Forest Park is one of the most suggestive places in the city of Giarratana, since it is precisely in these places that history mixes best with worldliness, all immersed in a scenic wooded setting that lends itself perfectly to excursions, naturalistic visits, picnics and, of course, to discover all the natural beauties present in the area, of which Giarratana and the whole of Sicily are particularly rich.

Hypogeum of Calaforno in Giarratana

Among the main attractions of the Calaforno Forest Park there is theHypogeum of Calaforno, Or a underground cave very ancient, according to some historians dating back between 4000 BC and 3000 BC, inside which there are 35 rooms, connected by small cavities, which were originally designed to be used as tombs, but during the following millennia they were also used as homes . The Calaforno Hypogeum, also known as Cave of Calaforno, is the only archaeological site of this type present in the whole Mediterranean, representing a real cultural heritage of inestimable value. From the various finds found in the Calaforno Hypogeum, it is assumed that this place was used for a very long time and by almost all the populations that dominated Sicily, exactly as demonstrated by the relics of Greek and Byzantine origin, including ceramics and some statuettes.

Calaforno wood in Giarratana

Where today stands the Calaforno wood, inside the Calaforno Forest Park of Giarratana, a barren land once stood, totally devoid of any type of vegetation. Only a few decades ago the institutions took action to take care of the territory and plant the first trees, allowing us today to be able to admire and walk inside one of the green areas most beautiful in Sicily. The Bosco di Calaforno is today a real one green lung, with different types of shrubs, although most are Aleppo pines, and a rich fauna that populates it, including numerous species of birds that nest every year in this very place. The paths of the Bosco di Calaforno are perfect for enjoying walks in the midst of nature.

What to do at the Calaforno Forest Park in Giarratana

Il Calaforno Forest Park it is the ideal place to practice Hiking, walking among the trees of the wood and breathing a very clean air. Inside there are numerous benches with tables, ideal for enjoying a few minutes of rest and for having lunch in this spectacular landscape. Together with naturalistic guides you could learn much more about the present vegetation and the area, while with a guided tour in the underground caves you will have the opportunity to admire the places with a thousand-year history that have seen the passage of who knows how many peoples.

How to get to the Calaforno di Giarratana Forest Park

Il Calaforno Forest Park it is located south of Giarratana, from whose center it is just over 4 km away. To get there it is therefore necessary to move by car, or alternatively, with the means of any tourist guides who will accompany you. To get to Giarratana it is recommended to take the State Road 159 or the Provincial Road 57, which connect the Hyblean town with the rest of Sicily, which can also be traveled by regional bus lines. Comiso Airport or Fontanarossa Airport in Catania are the closest airports, ideal for those arriving from further afield and traveling by plane to Sicily.