In the lush greenery of Sila Piccola, in the municipality of Taverna in the province of Catanzaro, lies the Antonio Garcea Visitor Center.
This is the place where, in the early 20th century, the State Forestry Corps was established, initiating a strict policy on land use, reforestation, environmental protection, and fire prevention. Today, it is an oasis of biodiversity, a center of excellence for environmental education and promotion, as well as for scientific and educational dissemination.
Within the Visitor Center, there are a didactic trail and a trail for people with disabilities, both equipped with illustrative boards about the flora and fauna of Sila Piccola; a “Garden of Aromatic and Medicinal Herbs” featuring over 300 species; a “Geological Trail” with samples of rocks and minerals typical of the Sila Plateau; a “Trail for the Blind,” equipped with descriptive boards in Braille; a “Trail for the Visually Impaired”; a “Forest Culture Garden”; a “Sila Biodiversity Nursery”; and the “Rural Village of Ancient Sila.”
The Visitor Center is also located near the Biogenetic Nature Reserve “Poverella-Villaggio Mancuso.” At Villaggio Mancuso, one can experience the ambiance of a Tyrolean village in the heart of Calabria.
Opening Hours:
The center is open to the public all year round, from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Nearby places to explore:
- Cupone Visitor Center
- Sila Park
- Castles of Caccuri and Santa Severina
