ETNA

 

Etna, which the Sicilians call "u Mungibeddu", the mountains around the stars, it is situated between Catania and Messina, at the centre of a triangle made up of the valleys of the rivers Simeto and Alcantara in the south and in the north, and of the stretch of Ionian Coast extending from Riposto in Catania. The most striking element, beyond its 3340 km altitude and the constant eruptive activity, is to see that her top is by sea only a few tens of kilometres. In just over half an hour drive, we pass from the sea to high mountains, the beach to the woods, the taste of the fish to that of mushrooms, from water sports to skiing. The unparalleled variety of the environmental area of the volcano is protected from Etna Regional Park, established in 1987, which extends from the top of the volcano to the hilly areas on the slopes. Inside you can take excursions and follow the various nature trails.

 

Etna’s flora consists of beaches, oaks, birches, pines, oaks, chestnuts and, in the midst of the lava flows is also very fertile "dagale" planted with fruit trees (apples, cherries, pears, almonds, hazelnuts) or vineyard and olive groves. Strong and peculiar turns out to be the influence of Etna on its people. Living with the volcano has formed a relationship of love and hate, fear and the majestic giant mole. Despite the constant threats, the people of Etna will always be committed to the fertile volcanic land that provides for thousands of years to feed the families of peasants, a love that even the tourist will perceive at once. 

 

 

The Caves of Etna
Etna caves are generated by means of the numerous volcanic eruptions. The emission of lava from Etna and its fluidity in fact, are the conditions that allowed their formation near the volcanic area. Some of these can be visited along the various nature trails that the volcano has among the most famous is the “Grotta degli Archi” in territory of Biancavilla, the “Grotta del Monte Nunziata” in Bronte, the “Grotta delle  Palombe” on the south side near Nicolosi; the “Grotta dei Lamponi”  in Castiglione di Sicilia, the “Grotta del Santo” around Adrano, the “Grotta del Gelo” in Randazzo, and the “Grotta Cassone” in Piano del Vescovo, near Zafferana Etnea.