Alcantara is one of the most important rivers of Sicily. It has its source in Nebrodi Mountains, at 1,250 m of altitude near Floresta, and it runs for about 50 km before flowing into the sea near Capo Schisò.

The same river was given different names in the past, since each people settling along the valley called it in a different way.

The Greeks called it Assinos, Pliny called it Asines, Appiano Alessandrino named it Onobalas, the Muslims used the name of Al Quantarah or Cantara, meaning “bridge” in the Arab language, and Frederick III of Aragon called it Flumen Cantaris.

The Park Municipalities are characterized by several historical evidences you should visit accurately if you really want to discover the origins of the Valley.