Mascalucia hosts, within its territory, the one that represents for all intents and purposes the last glimpse of that legendary and pure Mediterranean vegetation, characterized by oaks, brooms and very particular fauna. This is the Bosco di Monte Ceraulo, a renowned area of ​​delicious porcini mushrooms, it is suitable for a day-long walk; here you can find shelter from the heat under the cool umbrella of the tall trees and enjoy a packed lunch in the equipped area, where there are tables and benches. The little ones will be able to spend fun moments in the childish city set up at the entrance.

Monte Ciraulo is a rise born from the overlapping of several lava flows produced by Monte Arso and testifies to what remains of the Etneo Wood, a bush that once characterized the entire southern area of ​​the volcano; is an area that offers much from the naturalistic and environmental point of view: it is an area of ​​about 17 hectares at an average height of 520 meters above sea level, between the road called “Fondo Vacca” and the provincial road (via Pulei) which arrives in Nicolosi and then continues to the summit of the Etna volcano ..

Inside the forest there are two paths, which have been taken up by existing roads: these paths cross the wood making them admire the richness of the vegetation. Inside the park there are also rest areas (equipped to make a snack) and observation points, from where you can observe the flora and fauna. The flora it consists largely of native species, this area includes a large vegetation characterized by the presence of trees like the olive tree, the holm oak, the bagolaro and plants such as the thorny ivy, as well as thick bushes of broom , red valerian, cyclamens and orchids. From in-depth studies by Prof. Rosario Ennio Turrisi in the Park of Monte Ciraulo, 315 entities belonging to the spontaneous flora have been identified, mostly comprising Mediterranean therophytic edemicriptofite species, typically frequent in Etna lava substrates. Of the species found, such as Crambe hispanica, Chenopodium pumilio and Arabis turrta, due to their rarity or conservation reasons, they are of particular interest [from: Quad.Bot.Ambientale Appl., 15/2004 pag.71]

This area contains a vegetation corresponding to the Mediterranean basal plane and the supra-Mediterranean plane characterized by the presence of trees such as: lazzeruolo (crataegus azzarolus), olive (phillyea angustifolia), rovellera (quercus pubescens), leccio (quercus ilex), bagolaro ( celtis australis) and the sumac (rhus coriara); plants such as the terebinth (pistacea terebinthus), the lentisco (pistacea lentiscus), leuphobias caracias and spiny ivy (smilax aspera) are also present. Among the shrubs there are thick bushes of broom (spartium iunceum), (cistus scoparius), (cistus saluifolius), red valerian (centrantthus ruber) and asphodel (asfodelus macrocarpus), there are also stems of mullein (verbascum thapsiforme) as well as cyclamens and orchids.

In this plant habitat, which retains its natural characteristics thanks also to the non-existent anthropic pressure, live numerous animals, from mammals (wild rabbit, hedgehog), to the numerous birds that nest in the area such as the hoopoe, the goldfinch, the arvela , the blackcap, the octopus, the little virgin, the mountain biking and the linnet. Furthermore, the wood of Monte Ciraulo is inhabited by nocturnal birds of prey such as the scops owl and the barn owl and a large number of butterflies, demonstrating the high parameters of naturalness that still exist.

The wood, in particular, presents a high biodiversity both for flora and fauna, as a composition of genetic diversity, specific (natural or agricultural zootechnical), ecosystem, landscape and culture, a very important feature that makes it worthy of protection and of sustainable management.

The geomorphology of the territory of Mascalucia, as well as of all the countries that lie at the base of Etna, is influenced by the presence of the Etna massif, its constitution, its evolution and its continuous eruptive activity that contributes to constantly changing the landscape .

Indeed, it is the lava flows, in fact, the element that has most shaped the area, which is however not excessively bumpy, but characterized by poorly steep or sub-flat slopes; the steeply sloping areas concern surfaces that are not very large. The most important castings that acted in the transformation of Mascalucia and the whole surrounding area, have occurred over time starting from 252 d. C. when the lava spilled 2 km north of Nicolosi reached the sea of ​​Catania hitting Mascalucia and Tremestieri. In 1331, following another eruption, a new fracture of 3 km opened up in an area that today marks the border between Mascalucia and Tremestieri. On this occasion the Arsi Mountains were formed, at 350 m of altitude between Tremestieri and Gravina, and Mount Cicirello; the flow continued eastwards until it reached the sea. In 1408 there was a new flow that went up to Monte Ciraulo and Mascalucia. A similar thing happened also in 1537, but the most catastrophic eruption, also accompanied by the earthquake, which more than any other completely transformed the whole southern slope of Etna, was that of 1669 following which Nicolosi, Mascalucia, were destroyed. Mompileri, Misterbianco, Pedara, Gravina, Trecastagni, San Pietro Clarenza, Camporotondo and Catania.

This Park was strongly desired by all the Mascalucia Administrations to allow its citizens, schools and tourists to enjoy nature and the typical environments of the south side of the volcano. The Region and the European Union contributed to its realization through the Por Sicily 2000-2006. The Park is functionally connected to the Municipal Delegation of Massannunziata where the municipal library is located with an ancient Palmento attached, a recovered structure to host events and events.

Coordinates: Longitude 15 ° 02’44 ” – Latitude 37 ° 35’35 ”
Journey time: 1h
Distance of route: 1.9km
Degree of difficulty: 2/10

The Bosco di Monte Ciraulo is protected by the Sicily Region which on March 16, 1993 issued the Decree of the Councilorship n. 5685: “Constraint of temporary non-modifiability of the Bosco di Monte Ciraulo in the territory of Mascalucia”; and the Decree of 18 March 1997: “Extension of the temporary non-changeability bond of the Bosco di Monte Ciraulo in the Municipality of Mascalucia”.

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