Entella Cave Integral Nature Reserve

Established in 1995 by the Sicilian Region, the Entella Caves Integral Nature Reserve it is part of the Regional Plan of Parks and Natural Reserves.

Its management was granted to the Italian Alpine Club due to the speleological interest that the cave collects.

History of the Entella Cave Integral Nature Reserve

Many are the legends which refer to Fortress of Entella and which are inherent in the cave.

In the distant past, the cavity was known by its name Cave of the Dinars, to indicate that it had been chosen to keep a very rich treasure even if the cave - he narrates the legend - is protected by a spell by which no human can ever possess it.

Another narration states that the cave is the refuge of a snake with 14 heads and that to appease his cruelty it is necessary to feed him a girl every day.

It is said that once some peasants went down inside the cave to look for a treasure but they were intrigued by a noise coming from behind a rock from which a charming woman dressed in white appeared who said she was an Arab queen who had lived there for some time before disappearing from their sight. The peasants, blinded by that vision, were no longer able to find the exit until the woman returned to escort them out.

Description of the Entella Cave Integral Nature Reserve

It is a karst formation developed within the Fortress of Entella, a relief of chalky origin, located near the confluence of the left Belice river with the right Belice.
The cave winds for about 400 meters and new explorations have allowed the discovery of a new upper branch of significant geological interest.

There is an almost elliptical entrance located on the western base of the Rocca wall where, in ancient times, the waters emerged after their underground journey in the heart of the mountain.

The initial part is formed by a gallery about ten meters long by one meter wide inside which there are meanders. This gallery leads to the innermost part of the formation of karstic origin consisting of wells, slides, large halls and small jumps which lead to the highest part of the cave.

In fact, this is made up of four different levels of galleries which testify to the long periods of permanence of the water under the Rocca di Entella.

This has formed walls of gypsum crystal decorated by stalactites and stalagmites and scenographic inflorescences of gypsum crystals.

The signs caused by the flow of water down through important alluvial deposits brought by the river that flowed in those times are evident on the walls.

The recent discovery of new branches has made it possible to find several finds that have a certain archaeological importance such as fragments of pottery and bones.

What you can do around the Entella Cave Nature Reserve

Since this Reserve is a significantly bio-ecological place, one cannot fail to visit the territory made up of a steppe grassland full of natural vegetation.

Fans bird watching and naturalists will find it very stimulating to be able to see many species of sedentary birds such as the peregrine falcon, buzzard and greppio but also other animal species such as porcupines, foxes and wild rabbits.

Also interesting are i remains of the city of Entella, one of the three Sicilian cities of Elymian origin together with Segesta and Erice which was very important during the conflicts that occurred at the time of Dionysius the Elder between Syracuse and Carthaginians.

How is it possible to get to Contessa Entellina

By car:, from Palermo it is necessary to take the SS624 Palermo-Sciacca exiting at the Alcamo junction and continue on the Provincial Road that leads to Contessa Entellina following the signs indicating Diga Garcia.