Nissoria

This site has geological significance because several units of the Numidian Flysch can be observed within a tectonic window. These formations emerge in retrograde anticlines, which are faulted and thrust northward over the Salso River syncline. Near the 61st kilometre, the predominantly clayey Numidian facies of the Mount Salici Unit can be seen. These clays are locally interspersed with thin, discontinuous beds of quartz arenite.

To the south of the Giunchetto district, the Numidian Flysch of the Mount Salici Unit lies in tectonic contact with the Numidian units of Mount Serra del Bosco and Mount Boscorotondo, along with the Sicilian substrate consisting of scaly clays and limestone slivers belonging to the Polizzi Formation. These crop out along an east-west trending ridge within the tectonic window of the Casuto district.

The Numidian succession comprises approximately 700 metres of brown claystones from the Oligocene, overlain by a layer of Burdigalian quartz arenites, which grade upward into 350 metres of marly clays containing thin beds of glauconitic sandstones from the Langhian. These quartz arenites outcrop in a series of retrograde tectonic flakes, forming a discontinuous east-west oriented ridge. The tectonic flakes constitute the peaks of Mount Serra del Bosco (764 m), Mount Boscorotondo (665 m) and Mount Scala (764 m), which thrust over the upper portions of the formation.

Here, nature lovers will find an enormously attractive variety of magnificent natural environments, not only along the river. The river, winding through wide gorges with meanders and pools of salt water, forms a mosaic of habitats for countless species. It shelters migratory and resident birds such as coots, moorhens, and various herons (ardeidae), alongside mammals, invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians, including the European pond turtle. In addition to its extraordinary geological beauty, the site’s location along major communication routes connecting the Sicilian coast with the interior has made it a remarkable place since ancient times. It offers attractions of archaeological, natural and scenic interest.

The area preserves notable remains of a 13th-century fortification, including a defensive wall tower adopted by the people of Nissoria as the symbol of their ethno-anthropological museum. The site’s cultural value is further highlighted by the discovery in 1953 of exquisite Byzantine gold jewellery (6th–7th century), now exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse.

This Hellenised indigenous necropolis, dating from the 9th to the 3rd century BC, reveals a long period of continuous use. Its uninterrupted occupation from prehistoric times to at least the Hellenistic-Roman era provides significant insights into the settlement and cultural dynamics of central Sicily.

Specialties include ramette (chocolate and almond sticks flavoured with lemon or liqueur), pasta with breadcrumbs and fennel, cassatelle, cucciddati with figs and almonds, nfasciatiaddi, homemade bread and pasta, and bread seasoned with pepper and olives.

Extra virgin olive oil is traditionally processed in a stone mill.

On the first Sunday of August, the procession of Saint Joseph winds through the village streets. Along the way, participants are offered refreshments by worshippers who share the traditional “bread of Saint Joseph.” On March 19th, the customary tavulate (tables of Saint Joseph) are linked to the votive practices and rituals of the nearby town of Leonforte.

This historical re-enactment, strongly supported and actively attended by local associations, is connected to the site where Serlone d’Altavilla, nephew of the Norman king Roger I, was killed.