Irminio river

The Irminio River is born in the Iblean mountains near Mount Lauro, and it is the longest river in the province of Ragusa.

The natural area is found at the mouth of the river and includes a coastal area denoted by a low, sandy coast with dunes and vertical cliffs.

It is a marvelous example of natural vegetation, testimony to how the Sicilian coast looked historically. In ancient times, the river, like many others in Sicily, was navigable and provided a way for communication and trade with the Iblean hinterland.

The fauna consists, for the major part, of migratory birds that use the reserve as a staging area during migration from Africa to northern Europe. Also worth mentioning is the presence of nutria (photo), a sort of Sicilian beaver.

You can visit the natural history museum in the Visitor Center.