Nature Reserve in Leni

Sicily, from a naturalistic point of view, is considered by many to be a treasure chest: Etna, the highest active volcano in all of Europe, dominates a territory dotted with jewels such as the Saline di Trapani, the Gorges of Alcantara, the Scala dei Turchi and the Zingaro Oriented Reserve. Then there are the islands that dot the sea surrounding the Sicilian island and among these there is Salina, part of thearchipelago of the Aeolian Islands, declared UNESCO heritage. Salina is mostly covered by The Felci and Porri Mountains nature reserve, a protected area that you absolutely must visit during a trip to Sicily.

The Nature Reserve in Leni: historical notes

The Montagne delle Felci e dei Porri Nature Reserve was established in 1984 with decree no. 87 issued by the regional department of the environment and territory. It extends for 1079 hectares and was created with the aim of preserving the richness of a very green area rich in plants populated by birds such as the peregrine falcon, buzzards, kestrels, flamingos and cormorants, which nest especially near the brackish lake on the island.
The island is very ancient, as demonstrated by the volcanic rocks present and dating back to the Wurmian age and the Pleistocene: these are formations that emerged millennia ago from the underwater volcanic complex that surrounds the island.
The Nature Reserve preserves very ancient human settlements in the area, dating back to the XNUMXth century.

The architecture present in the Leni Nature Reserve

A stone's throw from the locality Santa Marina, or the main one tourist port on the island of Salina located at the foot of Monte Fossa delle Felci, there are the Saracen caves. These are rock settlements built and dug into the tuff in the Byzantine-Medieval era, to defend themselves from Turkish pirates.

In Santa Marina there is also the Church of San Marina, dating back to the 700th century: dedicated to protector of the island of Salina, shows on the outside 2 small bell towers and a façade refined by pinnacles, cusps and single-lancet windows.

In the hamlet of Val di Chiesa there is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Terzito of the XNUMXth century, built on the remains of an ancient sacred building erected by a hermit. Inside the church there is an eighteenth-century painting depicting the Virgin Mary. The main ones depart from the Sanctuary sentieri that allow you to reach the heart of The Felci and Porri Mountains nature reserve in a couple of hours: the route offers spectacular views of Alicudi, Lipari, Filicudi and even the Etna volcano.

What to see around the Leni Nature Reserve

The Montagne delle Felci e dei Porri nature reserve also includes the territories of the municipalities of Leni, Santa Maria Salina and Malfa (all in the province of Messina).

Language it's a small one fishing village which boasts a splendid sandy and pebble beach: not far away is the brackish lake where many water birds nest that every birdwatching lover will have the opportunity to admire. The. is reflected in the lake waters Faro, surrounded by vineyards and home to the Salt and Sea Museum, linked to the traditions of the island.

A stone's throw from the lake we recommend visiting the archaeological Museum and civic Museum, important stops for those who want to learn more about the reserve and the island of Salina in general.

It's also very cute village of Malfa, with the white houses perched on a cliff at 90 m. high, thus dominating the small port of Scario Galera below. The name refers to the origins of the village, apparently founded in the XNUMXth century by a group of citizens of Amalfi: in the main square stands the Church of Sant'Anna from the 700th century, rich in sculptures and paintings inside. Unmissable is the Museum of the Emigration of the Aeolian Population, also located in the village of Malfa.

Recommended activities for a tour of the Aeolian Islands

How to get to the Nature Reserve in Leni

To visit the Montagne delle Felci e dei Porri nature reserve, you obviously need to reach the island of Salina, whose main marinas are Scalo Galera, Rinella and Santa Marina. You can arrive by hydrofoil from Salerno's Molo Manfredi, or by ferry or ship from Milazzo. The latter can be reached by taking the A20 which connects Palermo to Messina, then exiting at Milazzo-Isole Eolie.