Beyond the Valley of the Temples: the Cave of Sant'Angelo Muxaro becomes the new hub of slow tourism in Sicily

Not only sea and temples, but an underground and natural heritage that aims to become a strategic lever for the economy of the inland areas. Tomorrow, Friday, March 13, the regional assessor for Territory and Environment, Giusi Savarino, will visit the Agrigento area to tour the integral nature reserve Grotta di Sant’Angelo Muxaro, a gem managed by Legambiente Sicilia.

The initiative is part of the large regional project “From the march of Zingaro to Punta Bianca”, an institutional mission born to shine a light on Natura 2000 sites and the protection of Sicilian ecosystems.

The Region's plan: "Slow Tourism" and high quality

The declared goal of the regional government is to transform environmental protection into a development opportunity. "We are decisively focusing on the system of nature reserves," explains assessor Savarino. "These places are fundamental for slow tourism, capable of attracting visitors who are attentive to the quality of the experience and have a greater spending capacity, contributing to the sustainable growth of our villages."

A record biodiversity: the Tychobythinus muxari

The Sant’Angelo Muxaro reserve is not only a suggestive destination but also an open-air (and underground) scientific laboratory. Recently, a new species of beetle, the Tychobythinus muxari, was identified right here, a finding that confirms the exceptional value of local biodiversity on the international stage.

The day's program

The institutional visit will begin at 10:30 with an inspection of the pre-reserve areas, at the secondary entrance of the cave. Subsequently, the delegation – which will include the presence of mayor Angelo Tirrito and representatives from Legambiente – will move to the Vallone del Ponte.

This area, of extraordinary geological interest, is at the center of an ambitious expansion project for the reserve, presented by Legambiente Sicilia back in 2015 and now under review to give further breath to this green lung of the Island.