The giants of the Sila

The I Giganti della Sila nature reserve is a protected area located in the center of Calabria and was established in 1987; the reserve is located within the Sila National Park. The name 'Sila' comes from an Oscan expression. The Romans called the area of the Sila, 'Silva brutia'. According to some studies carried out on wood samples, the reserve dates back to the seventeenth century. Unfortunately, what appears before our eyes is what remains of the Silan forest since it was largely cut to supply timber to the kingdom with the unification of Italy and then after the Second World War to supply timber to the British and Americans such as pledge for liberating the country. The wood was planted by the Barons Mollo, who exploited the forest to extract a flammable resin like pitch from the trunks. During the Second World War, the land was expropriated and then reinstated to the State Company for State Forests which together with the Mollo family established the Biogenetic Guided Nature Reserve to preserve, study and protect the historical-natural heritage. On the Sila plateau there are trees over 45 meters high, with a 2 meter wide trunk and 350 years old. This centuries-old forest preserves more than 60 specimens of larch pines and mountain maples. There are also a number of native plants, wild apple trees, beeches, chestnuts and aspen trees. In the reserve there are several species of animals such as the black squirrel, the buzzard and the kestrel. And several species of woodpeckers such as the great spotted woodpecker, the green woodpecker and the rare black woodpecker; in winter it is possible to see some wild boars. The reserve is open all from May to October while the rest of the year by reservation. Walking in the midst of this wonder of nature arouses wonder. FAI, the Italian Environment Fund, takes care of the maintenance and guarantees the reopening to the public of the ancient Casino Mollo which will become the seat of an engaging story dedicated to the history of this wood from the seventeenth century to today.