The "Bosco di Malabotta" (Malabotta wood) is located between the Peloritani and the Nebrodi mountains. It represents a wild area that has remained untouched and preserved through the century although the settling of men. The huge variety of the flora depends on the extension of the reserve, 3221,95 Ha large, with an altitude going from 650 mt to 1300 mt. The vegetation is characterized by the turkey oak that can reach 30 mt, and the beech. These two species together shape a wood as everyone of us has always dreamt of.

The municipalities included in the reserve are: Montalbano Elicona, Roccella Valdemone, Malvagna, Francavilla di Sicilia, Tripi, Moio Alcantara, all of them located in Messina region.

The reserve has been opened in 1997 to preserve a unique environment not only on a naturalistic point of view but also on the historical one: many ruins dating from the prehistoric period have been discovered. This shows that the area was knows since the beginning of the history. Some examples of what has been found: in Montalbano Elicona area settlings dating to the prehistory; in Malvagna area a early-Christian chapel; in Francavilla di Sicilia ruins dating V century B. C..