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“The Madonie Park” extends from the coast to the highest mountains, including fifteen municipalities of the Metropolitan City of Palermo (Caltavuturo, Castelbuono, Castellana Sicula, Cefalù, Collesano, Geraci Siculo, Isnello, Petralia Soprana and Sottana, Gratteri, Polizzi Generosa , Pollina, Scillato, San Mauro Castelverde, Sclafani Bagni) and hosts such a rich and luxuriant biodiversity that it will leave you breathless.

In the Madonie Park there are many different species of flora, many of these endemic, some present only and exclusively in Sicily and others among the highest in Europe. The Madonie park extends from the coast to the mountains, hosting agricultural trees (citrus fruits, olive groves, vines) in the hills, hazelnut trees and manna ash trees in the intermediate altitudes up to over 1000 meters in height where beeches, hollies grow and much more.

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the Madonite nature, following us to discover the flora that characterizes these wonderful landscapes?

t is rumored that the Madonie Park is like a “botanical garden in the middle of the Mediterranean”, but why? The whole area that includes the park is rich in a lot of vegetation, which ranges from a typical Mediterranean flora (citrus fruits, vines, olive trees) to a typically central / northern European one (hollies, beeches), this is because it develops on several levels of altitude , different microclimates are created, which allow different species of flora to make their way into the Madonite land.

Starting from the low hills, or the areas closest to the coast, you can see several citrus trees, ancient olive trees, vineyards, which are a clear sign of the presence of man, who over the years has dedicated himself to the cultivation and maintenance of these trees and the harvest of its fruits. Going up slightly in altitude, you can find typically Mediterranean vegetation such as myrtle, strawberry tree, mastic, olive, sea buckthorn, heather, tree spurge and fruticose bupleuro.

Slowly as you rise in altitude, arriving at an intermediate level, you can notice the first changes in the nature of the park: this area halfway between the coast and the mountain over 1000 meters, in fact, hosts a climate more favorable to trees such as the hazelnut – which give the very good Polizzi Generosa hazelnuts – and chestnut trees and the very particular ash tree from which the precious and sweet manna is obtained in the summer months. This tree is present only in the Madonie, cared for and treated by specialists ash growers who every year dedicate themselves to the collection of manna.

Going up again in altitude, between 400 and 1500 meters, you will notice a very rich vegetation made of tree heather, broom, strawberry tree and rock rose. Much of the landscape, at this height, is also made up of woods of evergreen and deciduous trees, with typical Mediterranean tree types that mix with those typically Central European. You can find specimens such as holly, oak, mountain elm, Sicilian hawthorn, wild apple, beech and mountain maple.

Did you know that within Madonie natural Park, in Piano Pomo, a record was broken? In this area you can enjoy some unusual amazing holly trees: it’s the Giant Holly Tree Wood, the only one in the whole Sicilian region and the only one in Europe housing so tall trees. The latter in fact can reach 14 meters of height. This is the reason why these trees create an enchanted forest that you can visit and admire in all its splendor.

The endemic species of Madonie

This land welcomes many beautiful endemic species such as the Abies Nebrodendis (Nebrodi Fir Tree), who nowadays grows only in Vallone Madonna degli Angeli; all over the world there are only 31 exemplars. Another endemic specie is the astragalus of Nebrodi, a little plant that only grows above 1200 meters in height and that is similar to the Etna’s one.

Don’t be misled by the name, these species are not indigenous to the near Nebrodi mountains, but are originated in Madonie mountains. Plenty of endemic plants are wrongly called “nebrodendis”, this happened because Nebrodi and Madonie were reversed: a little misunderstanding can create a mess.

Besides the trees we can’t forget the flowers. In spring they flaunt their beauty, coloring the entire park. With the first rays of sun you can admire the blooming of the white heather, asphodels, blackthorns, little hazelnuts. Between May and June you can admire wild lilies, wild roses, peonies and orchids.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the Madonie Natural Park, discovering its biodiversity. You just need to rent a SRC – Sicily Rent Car and enjoy the landscape from the seacoast to the mountains with all their beauties. Do not hesitate to contact us for further informations and reservations; feel free to contact us mailing us (info@sicilyrentcar.it), phoning us (091203374) or joining us in Palermo, Catania, Cinisi, Trapani, Comiso, Milazzo or Pisa.