Conoscenza, salvaguardia e utilizzo didattico del geosito carsico Montagnola di Santa Rosalia (Palermo)

Abstract

L’esistenza di grotte e morfotipi di modellamento marino (terrazzi, falesie, solchi di battente, grotte) nei rilievi carbonatici che cingono la città di Palermo documentano chiaramente la presenza di antiche linee di riva attestanti le diverse fasi di emersione della regione. L’Autore, dopo un inquadramento geologico e morfologico del Geosito Montagnola di Santa Rosalia, rileva gli aspetti del carsismo e l’importanza paleontologica e archeologica del sito; quindi, illustra la proposta per l’istituzione di un Parco Culturale Urbano e tutti gli interventi connessi affinché la suddetta area possa essere salvaguardata e usufruita per scopi formativi e divulgativi.

The Mesozoic carbonatic relieves surrounding the Palermo Plain are characterized by notable morphologic structures that belong to the cultural heritage of Sicily. These shapes, that are relevant to the eustatic Pleistocene oscillations and modeled by the sea, are represented by terraces, seacliffs, wave-cut notches, old shores, cavities. The Geosite Montagnola of Santa Rosalia is a carbonatic isolated block, encircled by steep rock walls; it is recognizable for the wide and marked sea terrace, delimited by high and very sharp seacliffs in which various cavities are developed. After a geologic and morphologic setting, the Author emphasizes the aspects of karst and the characteristics of the paleontological and archeology patrimony. Moreover, the Author illustrates the proposal for the establishment of an Urban Cultural Park and interventions to protect the area examined. The Park will certainly be very important from different points of view: natural, landscape, speleological and cultural. The closeness of the reserve to the town of Palermo will also be an excellent tool to educate people to respect nature.