La guida di Nadia
Informazioni sulla città/località
Taormina: It has long been Sicily's most famous resort town. It was here, in romantic Taormina, that a self-exiled D.H.
Lawrence was inspired to write Lady Chatterley's Lover one of the most passionate and erotic love stories of its era.
Taormina has endlessly winding medieval streets and tiny passages, each with its own secrets - great restaurants, cafés and
ice cream bars.
Some of these intriguing places are secluded gardens hidden by stone walls, others are set on terraces overlooking the coast
or in more public but equally pleasant squares. Taormina is beautiful by day but in the evenings its atmosphere is simply
enchanting, whether you stroll the illuminated streets or indulge in the view of the coast over a delicious dinner.
Then there's the rarer spectacle of Mount Etna's nocturnal fires as lava flows along the snow-covered slopes of Europe's greatest
natural wonder, leaving a stream of steam and light in its wake.
Within its eternal stone walls, old Taormina has fascinating
archeological monuments and medieval homes like Palazzo Santo Stefano. Magnificent views of the sea complete the
picture. The most famous is the view overlooking the Greco-Roman amphitheatre, one of Sicily's largest, with Mount Etna
and the sea in the background.
If you're looking for a long glimpse of Sicily's beauty and history from many angles in a single place, Taormina is a good
choice. The city is located on a plateau below Mount Tauro, for which it is named, where there are the ruins of two medieval
fortresses. Taormina's ancient Greek splendor, medieval charm and unique views of Mount Etna and the Ionian coast afford
the visitor a lasting impression of Sicily.
Taormina was settled by the people of nearby Naxos, an older Greek settlement, around 395 BC, on a Siculian city. These
early residents had fled the tyranny of Dionysius the Elder, who eventually conquered Taormina anyway, in 392 BC. The city
was named Tauromenion in 358 BC, and figured prominently in the regional politics of the next two centuries.
The city supported Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, against Syracuse in 278 BC. It was from Taormina that he conducted hisSicilian
campaign, with the aid of some ten thousand troops. Yet, Taormina was one of the first Sicilian cities to support Rome
during the Punic Wars. Eunus took the city during the slave revolt, and when the Romans finally occupied the city they
massacred thousands of slaves.
Taormina flourished in the time of Julius Caesar, only to suffer under Octavian, who retaliated against the city for its support
of Pompey by expelling most of its inhabitants and offering their homes to Roman soldiers. Prosperity followed for the
Romans of Taormina.
Ovid wrote of the "sweet mullet and tender eel" of Taormina's waters.Writing in the first century, Pliny the Elder praised Taormina's wines. The city's splendor, so evident even today, survived the fall of the Roman Empire, but her
importance diminished. The "Saracen" castle atop Mount Tauro was probably built by the Saracens on an older Byzantine
structure, and later enlarged by the Normans. Another fortress stood on still higher ground in the Castelmola district.
Taormina's medieval and ancient city walls remain very much in tact in the old city.
Though it is only about 200 meters above sea level, Taormina seems much higher. The Greek amphiteatre was built in the
third century BC, and expanded by the Romans, who enlarged the stage and added a partial roof (now destroyed). Reserved
seating existed even in Greek times; a seat bears the inscription of the name of Philistide, wife of Hieron II of Syracuse. The
world famous view of Mount Etna and the sea beyond the theatre is breathtaking. The theatre is the site of dramatic
performances during Summer; the seasons alternate with those of The odeon (odeum), a much smaller Roman theatre, is located near the Church of Saint Catherine (Santa Caterina), which
obscures it. On the site of Saint Pancras Church, just beyond Porta Messina (the Messina Gate) outside the medieval city
walls, was a temple dedicated to Zeus, a wall of which was incorporated into the present structure. (Saint Pancras is
believed to have been an early priest or bishop of Taormina's Christian community.)
Another eastern Sicilian example of the phenomenon of temples being converted to churches with the introduction of Christianity is the cathedral of Syracusa.
Indications of Taormina's ancient street plan are evident, and Roman mosaic floors have been found in the ancient villas in
the area. Even Palazzo Corvaia, built during the fourteenth century, was constructed on Roman foundations.
Taormina has a good archeological museum (near the amphitheatre), though many of the city's more important finds are housed elsewhere.
Taormina's streets retain much of their medieval flavour, as do many of the churches and residences.
The city's "Duomo" is not actually a cathedral (as its name implies), but this Norman-Arab church, built over an earlier, Paleo Christian structure,
dates from the twelfth century. The Badia Vecchia (Old Abbey) is a fourteenth century construction. A medieval Byzantine
(Orthodox) mosaic icon of the Theotokos ("Mother of God") is perfectly preserved in the archway passage under the Clock
Tower along Corso Umberto I leading into Piazza 9 Aprile.
There are also some charming Baroque and recent structures.
There has been a British presence, and a charming Anglican church, at Taormina for many years. D.H. Lawrence (1885-
1930) lived nearby, and based several of his stories on local events.
There are a number of restaurants that offer seafood, exceptional pizza and other local cuisine. Taormina's main streets are
full of places to buy craft items, especially fashion, jewelry, ceramics, mosaics, puppets and even porcelain dolls. While few
of these items are actually made at Taormina, many are of the highest quality. The beach at Giardini-Naxos is a few
kilometers away, and there are plenty of hotels in the area. A funicular cableway connects the old town to coastal Mazzarò
below. There's a train station at Giardini nearby, but it's easier to reach Taormina by express bus from Catania and its airport.
You'll have to park your car outside town. Taormina holds a film festival and concert series each summer. Don't overlook coastal Giardini, which has some nice seafood restaurants and pizzerias.
The only caveat regarding Taormina is that is can be quite crowded from April through September, so we recommend
Taormina - Greek/Roman amphiteatre visiting during the cooler, "low season" months.
Taormina can be reached in 30 minutes from Santa Venerina, with the motorway Messina-Catania.
931 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Taormina Shop
Taormina: It has long been Sicily's most famous resort town. It was here, in romantic Taormina, that a self-exiled D.H.
Lawrence was inspired to write Lady Chatterley's Lover one of the most passionate and erotic love stories of its era.
Taormina has endlessly winding medieval streets and tiny passages, each with its own secrets - great restaurants, cafés and
ice cream bars.
Some of these intriguing places are secluded gardens hidden by stone walls, others are set on terraces overlooking the coast
or in more public but equally pleasant squares. Taormina is beautiful by day but in the evenings its atmosphere is simply
enchanting, whether you stroll the illuminated streets or indulge in the view of the coast over a delicious dinner.
Then there's the rarer spectacle of Mount Etna's nocturnal fires as lava flows along the snow-covered slopes of Europe's greatest
natural wonder, leaving a stream of steam and light in its wake.
Within its eternal stone walls, old Taormina has fascinating
archeological monuments and medieval homes like Palazzo Santo Stefano. Magnificent views of the sea complete the
picture. The most famous is the view overlooking the Greco-Roman amphitheatre, one of Sicily's largest, with Mount Etna
and the sea in the background.
If you're looking for a long glimpse of Sicily's beauty and history from many angles in a single place, Taormina is a good
choice. The city is located on a plateau below Mount Tauro, for which it is named, where there are the ruins of two medieval
fortresses. Taormina's ancient Greek splendor, medieval charm and unique views of Mount Etna and the Ionian coast afford
the visitor a lasting impression of Sicily.
Taormina was settled by the people of nearby Naxos, an older Greek settlement, around 395 BC, on a Siculian city. These
early residents had fled the tyranny of Dionysius the Elder, who eventually conquered Taormina anyway, in 392 BC. The city
was named Tauromenion in 358 BC, and figured prominently in the regional politics of the next two centuries.
The city supported Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, against Syracuse in 278 BC. It was from Taormina that he conducted hisSicilian
campaign, with the aid of some ten thousand troops. Yet, Taormina was one of the first Sicilian cities to support Rome
during the Punic Wars. Eunus took the city during the slave revolt, and when the Romans finally occupied the city they
massacred thousands of slaves.
Taormina flourished in the time of Julius Caesar, only to suffer under Octavian, who retaliated against the city for its support
of Pompey by expelling most of its inhabitants and offering their homes to Roman soldiers. Prosperity followed for the
Romans of Taormina.
Ovid wrote of the "sweet mullet and tender eel" of Taormina's waters.Writing in the first century, Pliny the Elder praised Taormina's wines. The city's splendor, so evident even today, survived the fall of the Roman Empire, but her
importance diminished. The "Saracen" castle atop Mount Tauro was probably built by the Saracens on an older Byzantine
structure, and later enlarged by the Normans. Another fortress stood on still higher ground in the Castelmola district.
Taormina's medieval and ancient city walls remain very much in tact in the old city.
Though it is only about 200 meters above sea level, Taormina seems much higher. The Greek amphiteatre was built in the
third century BC, and expanded by the Romans, who enlarged the stage and added a partial roof (now destroyed). Reserved
seating existed even in Greek times; a seat bears the inscription of the name of Philistide, wife of Hieron II of Syracuse. The
world famous view of Mount Etna and the sea beyond the theatre is breathtaking. The theatre is the site of dramatic
performances during Summer; the seasons alternate with those of The odeon (odeum), a much smaller Roman theatre, is located near the Church of Saint Catherine (Santa Caterina), which
obscures it. On the site of Saint Pancras Church, just beyond Porta Messina (the Messina Gate) outside the medieval city
walls, was a temple dedicated to Zeus, a wall of which was incorporated into the present structure. (Saint Pancras is
believed to have been an early priest or bishop of Taormina's Christian community.)
Another eastern Sicilian example of the phenomenon of temples being converted to churches with the introduction of Christianity is the cathedral of Syracusa.
Indications of Taormina's ancient street plan are evident, and Roman mosaic floors have been found in the ancient villas in
the area. Even Palazzo Corvaia, built during the fourteenth century, was constructed on Roman foundations.
Taormina has a good archeological museum (near the amphitheatre), though many of the city's more important finds are housed elsewhere.
Taormina's streets retain much of their medieval flavour, as do many of the churches and residences.
The city's "Duomo" is not actually a cathedral (as its name implies), but this Norman-Arab church, built over an earlier, Paleo Christian structure,
dates from the twelfth century. The Badia Vecchia (Old Abbey) is a fourteenth century construction. A medieval Byzantine
(Orthodox) mosaic icon of the Theotokos ("Mother of God") is perfectly preserved in the archway passage under the Clock
Tower along Corso Umberto I leading into Piazza 9 Aprile.
There are also some charming Baroque and recent structures.
There has been a British presence, and a charming Anglican church, at Taormina for many years. D.H. Lawrence (1885-
1930) lived nearby, and based several of his stories on local events.
There are a number of restaurants that offer seafood, exceptional pizza and other local cuisine. Taormina's main streets are
full of places to buy craft items, especially fashion, jewelry, ceramics, mosaics, puppets and even porcelain dolls. While few
of these items are actually made at Taormina, many are of the highest quality. The beach at Giardini-Naxos is a few
kilometers away, and there are plenty of hotels in the area. A funicular cableway connects the old town to coastal Mazzarò
below. There's a train station at Giardini nearby, but it's easier to reach Taormina by express bus from Catania and its airport.
You'll have to park your car outside town. Taormina holds a film festival and concert series each summer. Don't overlook coastal Giardini, which has some nice seafood restaurants and pizzerias.
The only caveat regarding Taormina is that is can be quite crowded from April through September, so we recommend
Taormina - Greek/Roman amphiteatre visiting during the cooler, "low season" months.
Taormina can be reached in 30 minutes from Santa Venerina, with the motorway Messina-Catania.
Catania: For all its Baroque grandeur, the city is not frequented by the number of tourists who flock to Palermo, Syracuse
and Taormina, most of whom just briefly pass through Catania on their way to Mount Etna or Syracuse. That's unfortunate
because, like Messina, Catania has something to offer those willing to unveil its historic treasures. Even during a brief
itinerary, this very special city is worth at least a morning or afternoon.
Founded by the Siculi and colonized by Chalcidians (a Greek people) from Naxos in 729 BC, Catania was conquered by the
Romans in AD 263, eventually becoming the most prosperous city in Roman Sicily. By the Middle Ages, it was still an
important port, though less prominent than Messina.
It flourished until 1169, when it was almost completely destroyed by a particularly violent earthquake. Following this catastrophe, Catania was gradually rebuilt.
The city has two Roman amphitheaters. The smaller one, off Via Vittorio Emanuele near Piazza San Francesco d'Assisi, was
built upon an earlier Greek theater and is open to the public.
A larger amphitheatre, closer to the commercial center in Piazza Stesicoro at the intersection of Via Etnea and Corso Sicilia,
is a completely Roman structure built in the second century AD.
The piazza, incidentally, is named for Stesichorus, a Greek
poet who lived in Catania during the sixth century BC. Now located below ground level and usually closed, this vast complex
probably seated about 14,000 spectators. Only a small part of is actually visible today. With its vast underground network of
passages and alcoves, it is reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum.
Ursino Castle, located in Piazza Federico di Svevia, at the end of Via Auteri between Via Plebiscito and Via Garibaldi, used to be a coastal fortress before volcanic eruptions extended the coastline.
This castle was built by Richard da Lentini on the orders of Emperor Frederick II von Hohenstaufen in the first half of the thirteenth century and subsequently modernized in the manner of those at Messina, Taranto and Bari.
It is now a museum open to the public.
Though extensively rebuilt on Baroque and neo-classical models, the oldest part of the cathedral (Duomo) was constructed in 1092. Several royal personages are entombed there, including Frederick III of Aragon (ruled 1296-1337) and Queen Constance, wife of Frederick IV (ruled 1355-1377).
It was during the Aragonese period that Catania began to compete with Messina to become the most important city of eastern Sicily, and a point of reference for islanders from Castrogiovanni (Enna) eastward.
Giovanni Verga and Vincenzo Bellini were Catanian (though Verga was actually born at Vizzini). Catania's best known citizen
was Saint Agatha, its patroness, martyred here in the middle of the third century.
It was during the eighteenth century reconstruction period that noble families from across eastern Sicily began to build
palazzi in Catania. Thus began a social and economic rivalry with Palermo that continues to this day.
One of the essential differences between the cities is that while Catania is somewhat more industrial, Palermo remains the administrative center of Sicily. Though it won't be readily apparent to the casual visitor, the two cities differ from one another in many subtle ways.
Catania is certainly less chaotic than Palermo, and most streets and squares are a good bit cleaner. Its residents are
generally more open, and organized crime, which certainly exists, is slightly less pervasive here than in Palermo.
Most Sicilians, even Palermitans, would agree that it's generally easier to do business in Catania than in Palermo.
The Piazza Carlo Alberto market is located in a large square (named for one of the nineteenth-century Piedimontese kings)
near Via Umberto and Corso Sicilia, easily reached from Via Pacini off Via Etnea near the Villa Bellini park.
The Pescheria ("fish market") is located off Piazza Duomo near the cathedral and fountain ("dell'Amenano"), between Via Garibaldi and Via Pacini, extending along Via Gemelli Zappalà and some of the nearby streets. Catania's markets are closed Sundays and most afternoons.
A Sicilian street market is a cacophony of sights and sounds.
From a colourful assortment of fruits, vegetables, fish and meats to vendors barking about bargains for anybody who will listen. The ambience is punctuated by colored tarpaulins suspended as "tents" to protect the wares from the elements.
Italian and foreign items vie for yourattention --tarocchi (blood oranges), giri (leafy greens), chicory, herbs, artichokes, cuttlefish, swordfish, prawns, gutted goats, lambs, breads and cheeses.
And that's just the beginning.
Sicily's outdoor market tradition dates from the ninth-century Saracen rule of the island, which explains their striking
similarity to Arab souqs. Even some of their names are Arabic in origin; Palermo's Ballarò comes to mind. The weather helps.
Outdoor vendors find a pleasant environment in coastal cities where it hardly ever gets cold enough to snow. That's not to
say that Sicily's markets will be found only in the largest cities. Almost every town and urban neighbourhood has its
"mercatino" ("little market") open once a week.
532 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Catania
Catania: For all its Baroque grandeur, the city is not frequented by the number of tourists who flock to Palermo, Syracuse
and Taormina, most of whom just briefly pass through Catania on their way to Mount Etna or Syracuse. That's unfortunate
because, like Messina, Catania has something to offer those willing to unveil its historic treasures. Even during a brief
itinerary, this very special city is worth at least a morning or afternoon.
Founded by the Siculi and colonized by Chalcidians (a Greek people) from Naxos in 729 BC, Catania was conquered by the
Romans in AD 263, eventually becoming the most prosperous city in Roman Sicily. By the Middle Ages, it was still an
important port, though less prominent than Messina.
It flourished until 1169, when it was almost completely destroyed by a particularly violent earthquake. Following this catastrophe, Catania was gradually rebuilt.
The city has two Roman amphitheaters. The smaller one, off Via Vittorio Emanuele near Piazza San Francesco d'Assisi, was
built upon an earlier Greek theater and is open to the public.
A larger amphitheatre, closer to the commercial center in Piazza Stesicoro at the intersection of Via Etnea and Corso Sicilia,
is a completely Roman structure built in the second century AD.
The piazza, incidentally, is named for Stesichorus, a Greek
poet who lived in Catania during the sixth century BC. Now located below ground level and usually closed, this vast complex
probably seated about 14,000 spectators. Only a small part of is actually visible today. With its vast underground network of
passages and alcoves, it is reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum.
Ursino Castle, located in Piazza Federico di Svevia, at the end of Via Auteri between Via Plebiscito and Via Garibaldi, used to be a coastal fortress before volcanic eruptions extended the coastline.
This castle was built by Richard da Lentini on the orders of Emperor Frederick II von Hohenstaufen in the first half of the thirteenth century and subsequently modernized in the manner of those at Messina, Taranto and Bari.
It is now a museum open to the public.
Though extensively rebuilt on Baroque and neo-classical models, the oldest part of the cathedral (Duomo) was constructed in 1092. Several royal personages are entombed there, including Frederick III of Aragon (ruled 1296-1337) and Queen Constance, wife of Frederick IV (ruled 1355-1377).
It was during the Aragonese period that Catania began to compete with Messina to become the most important city of eastern Sicily, and a point of reference for islanders from Castrogiovanni (Enna) eastward.
Giovanni Verga and Vincenzo Bellini were Catanian (though Verga was actually born at Vizzini). Catania's best known citizen
was Saint Agatha, its patroness, martyred here in the middle of the third century.
It was during the eighteenth century reconstruction period that noble families from across eastern Sicily began to build
palazzi in Catania. Thus began a social and economic rivalry with Palermo that continues to this day.
One of the essential differences between the cities is that while Catania is somewhat more industrial, Palermo remains the administrative center of Sicily. Though it won't be readily apparent to the casual visitor, the two cities differ from one another in many subtle ways.
Catania is certainly less chaotic than Palermo, and most streets and squares are a good bit cleaner. Its residents are
generally more open, and organized crime, which certainly exists, is slightly less pervasive here than in Palermo.
Most Sicilians, even Palermitans, would agree that it's generally easier to do business in Catania than in Palermo.
The Piazza Carlo Alberto market is located in a large square (named for one of the nineteenth-century Piedimontese kings)
near Via Umberto and Corso Sicilia, easily reached from Via Pacini off Via Etnea near the Villa Bellini park.
The Pescheria ("fish market") is located off Piazza Duomo near the cathedral and fountain ("dell'Amenano"), between Via Garibaldi and Via Pacini, extending along Via Gemelli Zappalà and some of the nearby streets. Catania's markets are closed Sundays and most afternoons.
A Sicilian street market is a cacophony of sights and sounds.
From a colourful assortment of fruits, vegetables, fish and meats to vendors barking about bargains for anybody who will listen. The ambience is punctuated by colored tarpaulins suspended as "tents" to protect the wares from the elements.
Italian and foreign items vie for yourattention --tarocchi (blood oranges), giri (leafy greens), chicory, herbs, artichokes, cuttlefish, swordfish, prawns, gutted goats, lambs, breads and cheeses.
And that's just the beginning.
Sicily's outdoor market tradition dates from the ninth-century Saracen rule of the island, which explains their striking
similarity to Arab souqs. Even some of their names are Arabic in origin; Palermo's Ballarò comes to mind. The weather helps.
Outdoor vendors find a pleasant environment in coastal cities where it hardly ever gets cold enough to snow. That's not to
say that Sicily's markets will be found only in the largest cities. Almost every town and urban neighbourhood has its
"mercatino" ("little market") open once a week.
Aci Trezza (Trizza in Sicilian) is a
fraction of the town of Aci Castello,
fishing center of ancient and great
tradition and famous for its scenery.
The panorama of Aci Trezza is
dominated by stacks of Cyclops: eight
picturesque basalt rocks that, according
to legend, were launched from Polifemo
to Ulysses during his escape. Its crystal clear water makes it ideal for snorkeling (it is a natural reserve). Despite being a rocky coast you can easily access the sea thanks to beach facilities and wooden solarium.
315 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aci Trezza
6 Via ProvincialeAci Trezza (Trizza in Sicilian) is a
fraction of the town of Aci Castello,
fishing center of ancient and great
tradition and famous for its scenery.
The panorama of Aci Trezza is
dominated by stacks of Cyclops: eight
picturesque basalt rocks that, according
to legend, were launched from Polifemo
to Ulysses during his escape. Its crystal clear water makes it ideal for snorkeling (it is a natural reserve). Despite being a rocky coast you can easily access the sea thanks to beach facilities and wooden solarium.
Santa Venerina (8.000 inhabitants) rises over a coastal hilly area, 337 meters above the sea-level. Already inhabited during the Byzantine and Roman era, as testified by the remains of ancient thermal baths and of an oratorial, that date back to those years, the land of Santa Venerina was annexed to that of the nearby town of Acireale until 1934, when it achieved the constitution of its own municipality.
The Chiesa Matrice is dedicated to Santa Venera, preserving paintings of the eighteenth century painted by Alessandro(1720-1793) and Pietro Paolo (1697-1760) Vasta.
Very interesting are also the Church of Rosario, the Church of Santo Stefano and the Church of Bongiardo.
The town is famed for the production of almond pastries and liqueurs. "Pasticceria Russo" is renowned throughout the area for its marzipan fruit, almond pastries, croissants with honey and almond granita. Not to be missed!
In town there are several restaurants, pubs and pizzerias, also for take away. The owners provide a list on arrival. Also there are three supermarkets. The closest of them, Deco, is located in via Mazzini and is open from 8:30 to 20:30. On Sunday it is open half day, until 12:30.
The closest shopping centre, Conforama, which also offers a large supermarket, is located in Giarre in the "contrada Rovettazzo", 10-minute drive from the property. It is open every day from 9:00 to 21:00.
All the supermarkets in the area are stocked with vegan and gluten-free foods. In a walking distance, there are excellent greengrocers with quality, km0 products. We advise you to buy fruit there, rather than from large distribution chains in supermarkets.
The town is located just 10 minutes from the sea and about 40 from the Etna cable car. Thanks to proximity to the Giarre motorway exit, reachable in a few minutes by car, it is in an ideal position for visiting all the attractions in the area which are reachable in an average time of 30 minutes.
Santa Venerina
Santa Venerina (8.000 inhabitants) rises over a coastal hilly area, 337 meters above the sea-level. Already inhabited during the Byzantine and Roman era, as testified by the remains of ancient thermal baths and of an oratorial, that date back to those years, the land of Santa Venerina was annexed to that of the nearby town of Acireale until 1934, when it achieved the constitution of its own municipality.
The Chiesa Matrice is dedicated to Santa Venera, preserving paintings of the eighteenth century painted by Alessandro(1720-1793) and Pietro Paolo (1697-1760) Vasta.
Very interesting are also the Church of Rosario, the Church of Santo Stefano and the Church of Bongiardo.
The town is famed for the production of almond pastries and liqueurs. "Pasticceria Russo" is renowned throughout the area for its marzipan fruit, almond pastries, croissants with honey and almond granita. Not to be missed!
In town there are several restaurants, pubs and pizzerias, also for take away. The owners provide a list on arrival. Also there are three supermarkets. The closest of them, Deco, is located in via Mazzini and is open from 8:30 to 20:30. On Sunday it is open half day, until 12:30.
The closest shopping centre, Conforama, which also offers a large supermarket, is located in Giarre in the "contrada Rovettazzo", 10-minute drive from the property. It is open every day from 9:00 to 21:00.
All the supermarkets in the area are stocked with vegan and gluten-free foods. In a walking distance, there are excellent greengrocers with quality, km0 products. We advise you to buy fruit there, rather than from large distribution chains in supermarkets.
The town is located just 10 minutes from the sea and about 40 from the Etna cable car. Thanks to proximity to the Giarre motorway exit, reachable in a few minutes by car, it is in an ideal position for visiting all the attractions in the area which are reachable in an average time of 30 minutes.
Visite turistiche
Mount Etna: The power and romance of Mount Etna, at 3,323m (almost 10,902ft) the tallest active volcano in Europe, and undoubtedly the dominating feature of the eastern part of Sicily have attracted the attention of travellers, artists, poets and philosophers for centuries:
"From whose caverned depths aspire, In purest folds upwreathing, tost Fountains of approachless fire-- by day a flood of smouldering smoke With sullen gleam the torrents pour." Pindar - about 470BC
"...Etna, that wicked witch, resting her thick white snow under heaven, and slowly, slowly rolling her orange-coloured smoke. They called her the Pillar of Heaven, the Greeks. It seems wrong at first, for she trails up in a long, magical, flexible line from he sea's edge to her blunt cone, and does not seem tall. She seems rather low, under heaven. But as one knows her better, oh, awe and wizardry! Remote under heaven, aloof, so near, yet never with us. The painters try to paint her, and the photographers to photograph her, in vain. Because why? Because the near ridges, with their olives and white houses, these are with us. Because the river-bed, and Naxos under the lemon groves, Greek Naxos deep under dark-leaved, many-fruited lemon groves, Etna's skirts and skirt-bottoms, these still are our world, our own world…If you would see her, you must slowly take off your eyes from the world and go a naked seer to the strange chamber of the empyrean. Pedestal of heaven!" D.H. Lawrence - 1920-22
“A’ Muntagna” (“the mountain” in local dialect) has always dominated the lives of those who live in its shadow: Its lava flows and dust clouds bring destruction, but they also enrich the soil, making the lower slopes and the surrounding plains some of the most fertile regions in Sicily, and spawning vast expanses of vines and citrus plantation. The periodic eruptions have been well documented through history, from the tales of Pindar to the modern day. Recent eruptions have been spectacular in their nature, though quite safe as they start far from inhabited areas. Whenever Etna erupts, journalists and travellers are drawn from all over the world to admire (from a safe distance) the unique sight of the smoking craters and snaking lava flows, which are visible from miles away. Hiking on Etna is a fabulous experience and you will get much more from it if you take advantage of the knowledge of one of our qualified guides. A cable car takes some of the sweat out of the trip up, and the descent past the awe inspiring Valle del Bove with its deep canyon of spent lava flows is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
As of May 2013, Mount Etna has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its being "globally recognized on basis of its notoriety, scientific importance, cultural and educational value, superlative natural phenomena and exceptional aesthetic importance as iconic volcanic site."
A very short "users guide" to Mount Etna: There are two main points of departure for a trip on Etna: Etna Sud (Rifugio Sapienza) from which you may either walk or take the cable car to 2,900m, from there it is a 2-4 hour round trip to the summit craters, although there is no need to go that far to get a good feel for the majesty of the mountain. The other point of departure is Etna Nord (Piano Provenzana) from where you may walk or take 4X4 buses up to the observatory at 2,400m. You may walk to the summit craters from there.
We would strongly discourage you from venturing to the main craters of Etna without a qualified guide. Apart from the volcanic aspect, you must remember that this is a very high mountain and should be respected as such. The weather can change quickly, and it can get very cold even in the height of summer. If you are planning on doing anything more than stepping out of the cable car to look at the view, you should be properly equipped with good boots, long trousers, a couple of warm outer layers, hat, gloves and a waterproof jacket. Make sure you take some water and food too.
37 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Funivia dell'Etna
Piazzale FuniviaMount Etna: The power and romance of Mount Etna, at 3,323m (almost 10,902ft) the tallest active volcano in Europe, and undoubtedly the dominating feature of the eastern part of Sicily have attracted the attention of travellers, artists, poets and philosophers for centuries:
"From whose caverned depths aspire, In purest folds upwreathing, tost Fountains of approachless fire-- by day a flood of smouldering smoke With sullen gleam the torrents pour." Pindar - about 470BC
"...Etna, that wicked witch, resting her thick white snow under heaven, and slowly, slowly rolling her orange-coloured smoke. They called her the Pillar of Heaven, the Greeks. It seems wrong at first, for she trails up in a long, magical, flexible line from he sea's edge to her blunt cone, and does not seem tall. She seems rather low, under heaven. But as one knows her better, oh, awe and wizardry! Remote under heaven, aloof, so near, yet never with us. The painters try to paint her, and the photographers to photograph her, in vain. Because why? Because the near ridges, with their olives and white houses, these are with us. Because the river-bed, and Naxos under the lemon groves, Greek Naxos deep under dark-leaved, many-fruited lemon groves, Etna's skirts and skirt-bottoms, these still are our world, our own world…If you would see her, you must slowly take off your eyes from the world and go a naked seer to the strange chamber of the empyrean. Pedestal of heaven!" D.H. Lawrence - 1920-22
“A’ Muntagna” (“the mountain” in local dialect) has always dominated the lives of those who live in its shadow: Its lava flows and dust clouds bring destruction, but they also enrich the soil, making the lower slopes and the surrounding plains some of the most fertile regions in Sicily, and spawning vast expanses of vines and citrus plantation. The periodic eruptions have been well documented through history, from the tales of Pindar to the modern day. Recent eruptions have been spectacular in their nature, though quite safe as they start far from inhabited areas. Whenever Etna erupts, journalists and travellers are drawn from all over the world to admire (from a safe distance) the unique sight of the smoking craters and snaking lava flows, which are visible from miles away. Hiking on Etna is a fabulous experience and you will get much more from it if you take advantage of the knowledge of one of our qualified guides. A cable car takes some of the sweat out of the trip up, and the descent past the awe inspiring Valle del Bove with its deep canyon of spent lava flows is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
As of May 2013, Mount Etna has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its being "globally recognized on basis of its notoriety, scientific importance, cultural and educational value, superlative natural phenomena and exceptional aesthetic importance as iconic volcanic site."
A very short "users guide" to Mount Etna: There are two main points of departure for a trip on Etna: Etna Sud (Rifugio Sapienza) from which you may either walk or take the cable car to 2,900m, from there it is a 2-4 hour round trip to the summit craters, although there is no need to go that far to get a good feel for the majesty of the mountain. The other point of departure is Etna Nord (Piano Provenzana) from where you may walk or take 4X4 buses up to the observatory at 2,400m. You may walk to the summit craters from there.
We would strongly discourage you from venturing to the main craters of Etna without a qualified guide. Apart from the volcanic aspect, you must remember that this is a very high mountain and should be respected as such. The weather can change quickly, and it can get very cold even in the height of summer. If you are planning on doing anything more than stepping out of the cable car to look at the view, you should be properly equipped with good boots, long trousers, a couple of warm outer layers, hat, gloves and a waterproof jacket. Make sure you take some water and food too.
Consejos para la ciudad
Qué debes empacar
Bring warm clothes and hiking shoes to visit Etna
You can rent hiking shoes near the Etna ski lifts. They are indispensable if you wish to take the cable car to reach the craters above 1,800m above sea level.