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 its total area is about 1400 square kilometers. Since 2013, it has been under UNESCO protection, being the main attraction of the local national park.

The power and might of the volcano

Etna first erupted in 1226 BC, and later eruptions were repeated more than 150 times, all the time leading to the death and complete destruction of all settlements in the area. This was especially evident in 1669, killing more than 50,000 people and destroying the entire Western Catania, the second largest city in Sicily. The last recorded activity of the volcano was in February 2022.

Danger to the public

Despite all the danger, there are small towns at the foot of Mount Etna, whose inhabitants are engaged in vegetable growing and fruit cultivation, thanks to the local fertile soil. The same cannot 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 indescribable beauty of the landscape and the view of the sea, the incredible spectacle of volcanic activity. There are very few such unique places on the planet. For lovers of hiking, these places are accessible all year round, and in winter they are 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 enjoy 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 - mostly only ferns, juniper and astragalus grow here.

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

Traveling around Mount Etna, 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 off-road vehicles are waiting for the adventurers, who will take them even higher so that they can see all the grandeur and splendor of the active craters.