In the heart of the Sicilian countryside lies the Palazzo Adriano and Valle del Sosio Nature Reserve. Established in 1997, it includes the Agrigento towns of Bivona and Burgio and the Palermo towns of Chiusa Sclafani and Palazzo Adriano. Also part of the Reserve are the Bosco di Sant’Adriano and the Monte delle Rose and Monte Pernice, with a total extension of 5,82.07 hectares.
The landscape offered is particularly fascinating and evocative thanks to its environmental diversity of woods, rivers and prairies, but above all for its geological characteristics. In fact, the reserve boasts the presence of the oldest rocks on the entire island and centuries-old oaks, recalling the primordial nature typical of the area. The fauna is extremely rich: in addition to foxes, wild cats and porcupines, there are sixty species of birds, some of which are extremely rare, such as Bonelli’s eagle, black kite, red kite and dipper.
Two monuments of particular interest are hidden among the wonders of the Reserve’s lush flora and fauna: the Hermitage of Sant’Adriano, shrouded in dense vegetation, and the Sanctuary of Rifèsi, dating from Norman times but still well preserved.