Etna volcano

Etna is the largest and highest active volcano in Europe. Its diameter is 40 km, its height is more than 3300 m above sea level, and the total area is about 1400 square kilometers. Since 2013, it has been under the protection of UNESCO, being the main attraction of the local national park.

Strength and might of the volcano

Etna erupted for the first time in 1226 BC, and then eruptions were repeated more than 150 times, and all the time entailed the death and complete destruction of all settlements in the area. This was especially evident in 1669, claiming the lives of more than 50,000 people and destroying all of Western Catania, the second largest city in Sicily. The latest activity of the volcano at the moment was recorded in February 2022.

Danger to the population

Despite all the danger, at the foot of Mount Etna there are small towns whose inhabitants are engaged in vegetable and fruit growing, thanks to the local fertile soil. What can not be said about its slopes, where there is practically no human habitation due to gases escaping from the ground.

Etna continues to attract tourists from all over the world - the inexpressible beauty of the landscape and the view of the sea, an incredible spectacle of volcanic activity. There are very few such unique places on the planet. For lovers of hiking, these places are available all year round, and in winter - a real expanse for skiers.

Flora and fauna of Mount Etna

Quiet nature trails, starting from the coast, pass among magnificent palm trees, and gradually lead to orchards and vineyards. By the way, Sicilian restaurants offer their visitors to treat themselves to the famous wine made from black grapes grown only in these places. If you climb higher, you can find yourself among pine, oak, birch and wonderful beech groves. At the very top, there is no trace of the former abundance of vegetation - basically only ferns, juniper and astragalus grow here.

Martens, foxes, hedgehogs, porcupines, wild rabbits and cats are found on Mount Etna. Reptiles are represented by lizards and non-venomous snakes. Lots of birds of prey and bats. The Sicilian greyhounds found here deserve special attention - the rarest and oldest breed of dogs.

While traveling along the Etna volcano, you can see the frozen lava up close, visit the gloomy and mysterious caves, climb the cable car to a height of more than 2500 m, and extreme sportsmen are waiting for off-road vehicles that will take them even higher so that they see all the grandeur and splendor of the active craters.