Description of the attraction
Etna is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, the highest and most active in Europe. It is also the highest mountain in Italy, located south of the Alps. The total area of Etna is 1250 sq. Km. In the immediate vicinity of the volcano are the large cities of Messina and Catania, which have repeatedly become victims of its eruptions.
The activity of Etna is explained by its location at the junction of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, on which other active volcanoes in Italy are located - Stromboli, Vesuvius, Vulcano. From 15 to 35 thousand years ago, the eruptions of Etna were explosive and left behind vast layers of lava, and traces of ash from those eruptions can still be seen on the site of modern Rome. In the first decade of the 21st century, Etna erupted about 10 times, although, fortunately, there were no human casualties.
According to scientists-volcanologists, Etna has from 200 to 400 side craters, and every three months one of them spews lava. And once every 150 years, large eruptions occur, destroying settlements, in many places spread out on the slopes of the volcano. Despite the constant danger, the Sicilians from time immemorial have settled on the fertile soil of Etna - fruits, olives, and grapes are grown here. In addition, the volcano is the hero of many local legends and traditions. According to one of the legends, the goddess Athena, in a battle with the giants, crushed the immortal Enceladus Etna, and he is still trying to free himself - this is how the ancient inhabitants of Sicily explained the activity of the volcano. According to another, similar, version inside Etna languishing giants chained to the walls, which were placed here by the same gods of Olympus.
In 1981, the territory of Etna was included in the national park, and the UN recognized it as the Volcano of the Decade. This mountain is a must-see for any tourist route in Sicily. You can climb to its top from any side, but the most popular and accessible trails are laid on the southern, eastern and northern slopes. The southern route starts in the city of Catania, from where the bus brings tourists to the Rifugio Sapienza base. From the base you need to go to the town of La Montagnola, located at an altitude of 2,500 meters. You can get there by funicular or a specially equipped SUV. The eastern route passes through the village of Zafferana Etnea and also ends at Rifugio Sapienza. Finally, the northern route leads through the towns of Piedimonte Etneo and Lingvaglossa and leads to the base of Piano Provenzana. You can climb to the top on your own, but it is worth considering that accurate maps of Etna do not exist - the terrain changes after each eruption.
