Alcantara Gorge - a deep cleft in the rocks and cliffs, formed by repeated eruptions of Mount Etna and located near Taormina, in eastern Sicily. At the bottom of the gorge of amazing beauty flows the river of the same name, which is from May to August is greatly reduced in volume, but do not dry up completely. The water in the river is always cool that attracts hundreds wishing to freshen up on hot summer days. The river is only 52 km and the basin area - 573 square kilometers Its source is located on the southern slopes of the Nebrodi mountain range at an altitude of 1250 meters.

The name of the river comes from the Arabic word "al-Qantara," which means "bridge" - in Roman times the water flow through the bridge was transferred, and later found the Saracens. Several thousand years ago, the river bed during the eruption of Mount Etna lava blocked. Since the lava when combined with water much more quickly cooled down, than it does in vivo, it was crystallized in the form of columns. Then, for many hundreds of years, the river made its way through these columns, resulting in and was formed majestic and menacing Alcantara Gorge depth of 25 meters and a width of 2 to 5 meters. In 2001 the area was incorporated into the river of the same name of the park.

The whole valley is covered with Alcantara amazing shrubs and flowers, which lead to the admiration of even the most experienced "nerds." A look back at all the scenic area can be by climbing on a specially-equipped observation deck, which is open from seven in the morning until seven at night. Particular impression on tourists produces itself Gorge - the sharp cliffs of basalt bizarre, numerous waterfalls crashing on the rocks and scattering millions of spray, leave an unforgettable impression.