Ginestra between the Memorial and the Mountain Landscape

Ginestra between Memory and Mountain Landscape

For planning your trip, Ginestra presents itself as a place where remembrance, art and mountain landscapes appeal to different interests. The Memoriale di Portella della Ginestra and the trails into the natural areas of the Pizzuta can be considered as separate focal points. This allows you to give cultural impressions, physical activity and nature observation the emphasis that suits your personal travel rhythm.

The Memoriale di Portella della Ginestra

The Memoriale di Portella della Ginestra was recognized as a place of cultural interest because of its historical significance and as a unique site bearing witness to the collective identity and history of the institutions. It is located in the village of Portella Ginestra, within the municipality of Monreale. Since September 15, 2010, the site of Portella della Ginestra has been listed under number 132 as part of Sicily’s intangible cultural heritage. The memorial is also considered Italy’s first land-art project.

Large blocks of rock reminiscent of menhirs at the Memoriale di Portella della Ginestra are arranged around the Sasso di Barbato. In this way, the site combines a clearly recognizable artistic form with the historical character of the location.

Trails and Landscape of the Pizzuta

The 4 km Sentiero della Pizzuta begins at Portella della Ginestra. From there, the trail leads onto the southern slope of the Serra della Pizzuta nature reserve. Its specified length gives you a concrete sense of scale if you would like to include a trail of clearly defined scope in your plans.

In the Serre della Pizzuta nature reserve, the summit of Pizzuta reaches an altitude of 1,333 meters. Karst processes have created the Zubbione and Garrone caves, with deposits and sinter formations, two small lakes and a significant bat colony. The topography, karst features, bodies of water and wildlife therefore offer a range of different nature-related themes.

Local Connections and Orientation

Agriturismo Portella della Ginestra is located in the Serra della Pizzuta nature reserve, in a former 18th-century farmhouse. Its history has been documented since 2005; it was run by the Placido Rizzotto – Libera Terra cooperative. The cuisine used organic products from Libera Terra and wines from Centopassi.

The Ecostruttura at Centro Ippico Giuseppe Di Matteo was intended as an open space for cultural promotion and educational programs on legality in the Alto Belice Corleonese area and beyond. It is located at Centro Ippico Giuseppe Di Matteo in Contrada Ginestra, on SP 34 at kilometer 4.2.

The Sentiero delle Neviere leads to the village of Strasatto-Ginestra. Along the route, you can leave your car near the Targia watering trough and follow the Sentiero Italia markers through the northern valley of the mountain massif.

No fixed visiting hours are provided for the Memoriale di Portella della Ginestra; visiting arrangements may change without prior notice. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Ginestra, you can therefore decide whether culture, trails, the karst landscape or the cuisine of the agriturismo should take priority.

More places for planning your trip: Isnello, San Giuseppe Jato, Altofonte, Termini Imerese, Misilmeri, San Mauro Castelverde, Sommariva, Casteldaccia

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