The Natural Reserve of the river Fiumefreddo is the only case in Europe (along with Syracuse) where, thanks to the extraordinary conditions of the place, the papyrus plant grows and reproduces.
The river Fiumefreddo is known for its rather cold and clear water throughout the year (12-13°C in summer), which slowly flowing oxygen allows the formation of a unique and spectacular river environment in Sicily.
The river is fed by spring waters from the north-eastern slope of Mount Etna and runs for just 2 km along a very lush and fertile plain planted with orchards and vegetable gardens. The main sources are the so calledQuadara Grande, which actually consists of a set of small springs and so named because of the reminiscent of that of boiling cauldrons (''Quadare" in Sicilian dialect) similar to the bubbling of the water, and that one called Capo dell'acqua, placed farthest from the sea, which has a lower flow rate and feeds a collateral branch of the river.
In particular, it is very rich in flora that it owns aquatic and riparian rare species or not present in other areas of Sicily. The hydric vegetation includes the brush buttercup, the pondweed, the water celery, the sparganium erectum, the pond water starwort, the watercress, the water mint and thewater speedwell.
