Visit to Grotta Monello - SR

June 09, 2018
The Grotta Monello Integral Nature Reserve is a protected area established in 1998 by the Department of Territory and Environment of the Regione Siciliana and entrusted to the management of CUTGANA (Interfaculty Center of the University of Catania). The reserve was created to protect the exceptional development of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the rich cave fauna, which includes important endemic troglobites belonging to Isopoda and Diplopoda identified within Grotta Monello.
On this occasion, we invite you to an exclusive and fascinating visit to observe one of the hidden gems of the Sicilian territory; we will take part in a scientific research activity called “Assessment of the Carrying Capacity of Grotta Monello,” conducted by CUTGANA since January 2018. As part of this research, participants are asked to sign a waiver and provide some anonymous data, such as age, weight, and gender, which will subsequently be uploaded to a dedicated database.
First and foremost, we would like to thank the Director of CUTGANA, Salvatore Costanzo, for his availability.
We look forward to receiving your registrations and remind you to read the information carefully.
Exceptionally, this activity will take place on Saturday, June 9, from 09:30 to 12:00. The maximum number of participants is 24, and children under 9 years of age are not permitted to enter the cave. After the visit to Grotta Monello, we will go on a hike of approximately 3 hours along the Torrente Moscasanti, which falls within the Reserve.

Fee: € 10.00 - Includes guide service, organization, and RCT insurance.
The fee does not include: packed lunch and travel fuel costs.
Meeting point: Saturday at 09:15 at Contrada Perciata, in the parking lot between the entrance to Grotta Monello and the Agriturismo La Perciata.
Here is the link for directions to the meeting point.
https://www.google.it/maps/place/Riserva+Naturale+Integrale+Grotta+Monello/@37.0296126,15.1695627,12.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xf56d9613288b71a3!8m2!3d37.017995!4d15.1650953
End of excursion: 17:30 at the same location.
Travel: own car.
Route: approximately 2 hours of walking inside the cave and 3 hours at the Torrente Moscasanti – on and off-trail.
Difficulty: easy.
Lunch: packed lunch.
Equipment: required: trekking clothing, small backpack, k-way (rain jacket), hiking boots, waterproof jacket, flashlight, hat, 1.5 liters of water.
Guide: Salvatore Marletta: contact 3334987946
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]