"Antonio Garcea" Visitor Centre Monaco

"Antonio Garcea" Visitor Centre, adjacent to Mancuso Village, in the municipality of Taverna, appears as an area mostly covered by larch pine in pure formation. Just from the immense richness of this forest, it derives its anthropization and the exploitation of its timber. It is therefore around the first twenty years of the twentieth century that the rustic complex of the State Forestry Corps takes over, which then directs a careful policy of utilization of surpluses, afforestation, cleansing, environmental protection and protection against fires. It is after the eighties, with a continuous use of creative resources, that the Visitor Center Antonio Garcea takes on the appearance of a modern polyfunctional complex immersed in nature, which nature wants to speak, evoking its own memories of pastoral agro-silvo culture to it is linked, silently propagating the echoes.

The synergy between the Management Authority of the Sila National Park and the State Forestry Corps through its structures and departments is a guarantee of the optimal use of Visitor Centers aimed at an active conservation of the natural environment, oasis of biodiversity , for educational, educational and scientific purposes for contemporary people and future generations. The Visitor Center is located in the Commune of Taverna, about 40 km from Catanzaro within the Biogenetic Nature Reserve "Poverella-Villaggio Mancuso". The Center, which through the infrastructures has been proposed as a Center of Excellence highly specialized in environmental education, is at the service of the promotional and cultural activities carried out by the Management Authority of the National Park of Sila. The Information Office ensures visitors' welcome throughout the year.

Among the structures of particular importance are: the "Centro Natura", with conference room, temporary exhibition hall and thematic museum; The "Study Center - Naturalistic, Environmental and Forestry Education", with teaching room, library, educational laboratory and open-air "green hall". Two theme museums "The Forests of the Sila" and "The Forests and the Man". The "Green Theater" of the capacity of about 500 seats. The "Unicef ​​Square" is dedicated to hosting cultural and recreational events as well as environmental education lessons.

Some areas were destined for setting and spreading centers for Caprioli and Cervi, a didactic-demonstration center for Daini, teaching and setting center for wonderful specimens of Gufo Reale who are reintroducing into Sila Piccola. Ultimately, the Visitor Center wants to ensure broad access to the protected natural area, allowing all citizens, able or disabled, the opportunity to enjoy their free time and the right to "do the tourism", an important factor of socialization, leisure and fun for man. (By CFS).