Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
Mount Etna, towering above Catania, Sicily’s second largest city, has one of the world’s longest documented records of historical volcanism. Historical lava flows cover much of the surface of this massive basaltic stratovolcano, Italy’s highest and most voluminous volcano.
The Mongibello stratovolcano, truncated by several small calderas, was constructed during the late Pleistocene and Holocene over an older shield volcano. The most prominent morphological feature of Etna is the Valle del Bove, a 5 x 10 km horseshoe-shaped caldera open to the east.
Etna forms part of an extended volcanic runing from Roman and Campanian volcanic province in wester Italy to the island of eastern Greece, and which owes its existence to continuing collision between the african and eurasian plates.
Two styles of eruptive activity typically occur at Etna. Persistent explosive eruptions, sometimes with minor lava emissions, take place from one or more of the four prominent summit craters:
1) Central Crater or Voragine (“the chasm”)
2) NE Crater (formed in 1911)
3) SE Crater (formed in 1971)
4) Bocca Nuova (formed 1968).
Flank vents, typically with higher effusion rates, produce eruptions from fissures that open progressively downward from near the summit (usually accompanied by strombolian eruptions at the upper end). Cinder cones are commonly constructed over the vents of lower flank lava flows. Lava flows extend to the foot of the volcano on all sides and have reached the sea over a broad area on the SE flank.
Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, and is one of the largest continental volcanoes. It is located on the island of Sicily, 18 miles (29 km) north of the city of Catania. The 10,991-foot (present summit height is more than 3300 m 3,350-meter) volcano covers 460 square miles (1,190 square kilometers).
Mt. Etna is (alt. 3300 m) the highest volcano in Europe. Its base has a diameter of 212 km. The territory surrounding the volcano constitutes the Parco dell’Etna (Etna Park), which includes 18 towns in the provinces of Messina and Catania and covers 57,000 hectares (220 sq miles) – one of the largest protected areas in Italy.
The origins of the volcano are to be found in the area of Aci Castello and Aci Trezza, going back some 500,000/600,000 years. Subsequently the Valle Colonna-Valle del Bove system was formed, also known as “Premordial Etna”. This system collapsed, and after a dormant period the present-day Etna was formed. It is also called Mongibello (or ‘a Muntagna). One characteristic of the present volcanic formation of Etna is the variability of the shape of the eruptive cone, depending whether the eruptive activity is constructive or destructive, which is the main factor in determining variations in the volcano’s altitude.
Its intensive avtivity even today has not prevented the population of its slopes, where Catania itself stands, and has determined, according the the various historical moments, an adaptation of the flora to various situations that have never been longlasting. Climbing from the lower slopes, washed by the sea and often barren, we encounter interesting forms of vegitation, among which citrus fruits and vineyards predominate. At higher altitudes, above chestnut and hazelnut woods, we find oaks and holm-oaks, apple orchards, pines and beech-trees, and even higher (300m) the plants that are really typical of Etna, such as the birch tree, broom and the Etna violet.
Although among the fauna the larger mammals have been lost, we can still find various medium-sized mammals such as porcupines, foxes, martens, rabbits and hares. Among the smaller mammals are dormice, stoats and hedgehogs.
Among the birds, we see not only common crows and ravens, but also some rare birds of prey, including the golden eagle.
Lake Gurrida, a seasonal phenomenon, welcomes herons and ducks. Other birds, many of them songbirds, are to be found in the woods. The fauna is completed by vipers, dangerous only when disurbed, frogs and insects.
The ferrovia circumetnea (round-Etna railway) was awaited with with great enthusiasm and expectancy in the 19th century. Travelling on it today we can enjoy views of Etna from a thousand different angles. The writer Edmondo de Amicis described his “exploration” in 1908.
Of the numerous eruptions in the past, one is described by Pindarus and Aeschylus, that of 475 BC. There were numerous eruptions in the 19th century (1853-86 and 1898). In the 20th century there have been serious eruptions in 1908, 1910-11 (with earth-quakes), 1928, 1957-58, 1971, 1983 and 1991-2. In fact, Etna has been active for the last two years (1999-2000), so much so that a couple of live-cams have been installed there to monitor the activity.
About its name
The name “Etna” comes from the Greek Aitne, from aitho, meaning “I burn.” The Roman name was Aetna.
Mythology
In mythology, Etna was identified as the location of the forge of Volcan, home of the Cyclopses, and where the giant Enceladus slumbered. Earthquakes are said to be his motions and eruptions through the volcano his fiery breath.
Activity
There have been about 90 eruptions since records were kept in the 18th century. The eruption in 1991-93 was the largest in 300 years. The frequency of eruptions and long period since they were first recorded makes Etna one of the most studied volcanoes in the world. MORE
The Etna Volcano Park
To protect its unique environment the Etna Volcano Park was created in 1987. The park is divided into four zones: a large area where there is no human activity and which is home to wildlife, a zone of small agricultural tracts and human dwellings dating back to antiquity, and two zones set aside for tourism.
Fauna
Animals that lived on Etna’s slopes 150 years ago included wild boars, wolves, and deer. These disappeared from the area because of human activity, leaving porcupines, foxes, wild cats, rabbits, weasels, rodents, bats, and many birds found on the volcano today.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
The Sicilian city of Trapani which is located on the western coast of the island and is the capital of the Province that uses the same name was originally founded by the ancient Greeks as a fishing port as well as the gateway to the Egadi Islands.
The city of Trapani was originally named Drépanon meaning sickle due to its crescent shaped harbor which was founded by the Elymians as a port to the city of.
There are two ancient legends that speak of the mythical origins of Trapani which in the first one the city stemmed from the sickle which was dropped by the goddess Demeter while she was looking for her kidnapped daughter Persephone and the second was about the god Saturn, who killed his father Cronus with a sickle that fell into the sea and created Trapani.
Most of Trapani, which is an old town, dates back to the later medieval but there are no intact remains of the ancient city but most of the Trapani’s historical buildings were designed under the Baroque style and include such notable monuments as the Church of Sant’Agostino which was built in the14th century, the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù which was built during the 15th century to 16th century, the magnificent Basilica-Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Annunziata which is sometimes called the Madonna di Trapani was originally during the 13th century and was rebuilt in 1760, the Fontana di Tritone, the Baroque Palazzo della Giudecca ‘or Casa Ciambra and the Cathedral which was constructed in 1635.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
The Sicilian city of Taormina is both a commune as well as a small town that is located on the eastern side of the Sicilian Island and features a Saracen castle that rises about 150 m above the rest of the city and is also considered to be the location of the ancient Arx or citadel.
One of the major yearly attractions in the city of Taormina is The David di Donatello Taormina Film Festival which has consistently been held for the past fifty years and features a plethora of international film stars that come to view films on a large screen that was built in an ancient Greek theatre. There is also a nature reserve just south of the city called the Isola Bella as well as a number of tours to the Capo Sant’ Andrea grottos and due to the city being built along a hilly coast line, it is only natural that Mount Etna which is Europe’s largest active volcano is only an approximated 45 minute drive away from the city.
The first novel by the Icelandic writer Halldór Laxness which was called Vefarinn mikli frá Kasmír meaning The Great Weaver of Kashmirwas written in the city in 1927. The write was considered to be proficient at writing about a plethora of literary, social and religious works as well as works on sexual issues which was, in his times, a large arean of different litterary works. Laxness also won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1955, was known to have written most of his novel while he was in Taormina which he also highly praised the city in his book of autobiographical essays called Skáldatími in 1963 which means The Time of the Poet.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
The city of Siracusa is located on the eastern coast of Sicily and has been inhabited since ancient times but was founded in either 734 or 733 BC by Greek settlers and in 1542 and 1693 the city was struck by two earthquakes as well as a plague in 1729.
Today, Siracusa has a population of 125,000 people and a plethora of tourist attractions that include the Temple of Apollo which was adapted into a church during Byzantine rule, the Fountain of Arethusa, the Theatre, which is one of the largest ever Greek built theater that features 67 rows divided into 9 sections with 8 aisles each, the Roman amphitheatre, the Tomb of Archimede as well as the Temple of Olympian Zeuswhich was built during the 6th century BC.
There are also a number of ancient churches in the city of Siracusa that include the Cathedral which was built in the 7th century, the Basilica of Santa Lucia extra Moenia which was built around the15th and 16th centuries, the Church of San Paolo that was built in the18th century, the Church of San Cristoforo was originally built in the14th century but was renovated in the 18th century, the Church of Santa Lucìa alla Badìa, the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli which was built in the 13th century, the Church of the Spirito Santo that was built in the18th century, the Church of the Jesuite College, the Church of St. Benedict, the Chiesa della Concezione a 14th century church that was rebuilt in the 18th century, the Church of San Francesco all’Immacolata as well as the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist which was both built and destroyed in 1693.
But most naeable are the castles and palaces which include the Castello Maniace which was built between 1232 and 1240, the important Archaeological Museum that features mid-Bronze Age to 5th century BC artifacts, the Palazzo Lanza Buccheri, the Palazzo Mergulese-Montalto that was built in the 14th century, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Palazzo Vermexio which is currently the town hall but originates back to the 5th century BC, the Palazzo Francica Nava, the Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco that was originally built during the Middle Ages and modified between 1779 and 1788, the Palazzo Migliaccio, the Senate Palace as well as the Castle of Euryalos.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
In the film Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams asks Matt Damon about the Sistine Chapel. Damon gives a ‘know-it-all’ detailed answer and Williams reposts “But I’ll bet you can’t tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel.” This should be the approach when thinking about a holiday in Sicily. Even though the pictures look amazing, it is the atmosphere of Sicilian life that differentiates it from every other country.
Cefalù beach with the Sun setting.
More Sicily Pictures
Clouds are brewing on top of a mountain near Palermo.
If you want to share your Sicily Holiday photos, send them to help@sicilyholiday.info.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
Click the Image below to see the larger map showing the whole of Sicily. The map shows all of the major Sicilian cities (citte), towns (paesi), motorways (autostrade).
This is a fantastic map of Sicily, it illustrates the vast amount of land that is covered by magnificent mountains.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
Here you will find links to the best websites relating to World travel & particularly to Sicily.
Travel Directory - A beautifully designed website with a huge directory containing mountains of travel information.
Sicilia : (Italian) Sicilian Resource and Sicily’s Cities with photos and videos.
International Travel Directory – Comprehensive directory for travel related web sites. Destination guides, travel news and travelogues. Book cheap airfares, discount hotels and car hire.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
The Aeolian Islands are a small group of islands which are located along the northern shore of Sicily and although most feature extinct volcanoes, they are all none the less originated from volcanic activity. Getting to the Aeolian Islands can only be achieved by ferry since there are no airports on the group of island which consists of the island of Lipari, the island of Salina, the island of Vulkano, the island of Stromboli, the island of Panarea as well as the island of Filicudi but only the island of Stromboli is the most well known of the six islands in the archipelago as it is the only one with an active volcano that features a miniature eruption roughly every 30 minutes.
The island of Lipari is the most inhabited of the Aeolian Islands with a population of over 9,000 people but it is the island of Vulkano which features their acclaimed sulfur mud baths which are great for a relaxing day at the spa while the island of Panarea is considered to be the most exclusive of the archipelago and features many Italian villas located all around its shorelines.
Another set of Sicilian islands can be found off the western coast of Sicily. These Islands are called the Agadic Islands but you can also find the island of Isole Egadi near by too. The Agadic Islands consists of the island of Favignana, the island of Marettimo and the island of Levanzo but like most of the islands surrounding Sicily the Agadic Islands can only be reached by a splendid 25 minute ferry ride.
The Island Ustica is located just northern tip of Sicily near the city of Palermo and features a rich plethora of some of the finest dive spots in Sicily as well as spots just for the nature lovers due to its beautiful green landscape which can be thanked to the rich nutrients in the volcanic rock considering it is much like all the other islands surrounding Sicily which are also composed of volcanic rock.
The island of Lampedusa as well as the island of Pantelleria is located at the southern most part of Sicily and the island of Pantelleria is the only island surrounding the Sicilian coastline which can be reached by airplane as it is considered a special recovery zone which also makes it great spot for those who want to escape from the normal tourist spots in and around Sicily.
Another island that is closer to Africa than Sicily is the island of Lampedusa which is still part of Sicily regardless of its 115 kilometer distance from Italy.
Grand Hotel San Pietro – Tel. 0942/620711 Fax. 0942/620770
Grand Hotel Timeo e Villa Flora – Tel. 0942/23801 Fax. 0942/628501
San Domenico Palace Hotel – Tel. 0942/613111 Fax. 0942/625506
CATANIA HOTELS
ALOHA D’ORO
Via A. De Gasperi, 10 – 95024 ACIREALE (CT)
Tel. +39 (095) 604344 – Fax. +39 (095) 606984
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
There are so many excellent resources on the internet detaling the history of Sicily, that it would be pointless to regurgitate what others have written. Instead, SicilyHoliday.Info focuses on present day Sicily.
Here’s the a list of webpages focusing on Sicily’s history:
Know It All – A well written piece about the history of Sicily.
Wikipedia – Facts, facts, facts. Very detailed article on Sicily.
Best of Sicily – Another great resource and website dedicated to the Sicily.
Boglewood – Includes a 2800 year timeline of Sicily’s History.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
Sicilian Cities & Must See Places
Sicily offers so much to visitors that it’s impossible to fit everything on one page. Below you will find links to in-depth information on Sicilian Cities, including the history which shaped the city. Also listed are the must-see tourist places in Sicily. We’ve also added a guide to the Islands surrounding Sicily as these are very popular tourist destinations.
To find the ideal time to visit Sicilian cities based on your holiday plan and personal preferences, check out the ‘Book a Sicily Holiday’ section of SicilyHoliday.Info.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
The Sicilian city of Ragusa features a population 70,000 and is built upon a limestone hill which is situated between two deep valleys while the origins of the city go as far back as the 2nd century BC. In 1693 due to an earthquake that killed 5,000 people, the city was devastated.
The main spot that one must visit while in Ragusa is the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista whose edifice was destroyed in the 1693 earth quake and when rebuilt was found to be inadequate. Although there are many other spots to see, some of the most noteworthy locations are the Hyblean Archaeological Museum which is devoted to Prehistoric to Late Roman artifacts and the Cathedral of San Giorgio which started construction 1738 but was not finished until 1820 when the dome was placed atop.
There are also a plethora of many notable ancient churches, most of which were partially destroyed in the 1693 earthquake but have been rebuilt since that era to reflect their original statuses.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
The Sicilian city of Enna is located in the center of the island and towers above the surrounding countryside.
There are many notable spots in Enna, but the most important monuments are the Castello di Lombardìa which means the Lombardy Castle and is perhaps the most important example of military architecture on the island, the Duomo which is a cathedral that was built in the 14th century, the Palazzo Varisano which houses the Regional Archaeological Museum of Enna that features artifacts dating back to the Copper Age, the Torre di Federico which is an ancient tower that was the summer residence of Frederick III of Aragon, the Campanile of the destroyed church of San Giovanni which featured several pointed arches and a three light mullioned window, the Municipal Library which features a 15th century interior, the church of San Tommaso which has a 15th century belfry, the Janniscuru Gate which is the only one left out of the original 7 gates that were located at the town’s entrance back in the 17th century.
There is also an important spot to check out while in Enna and that is Lake Pergusa which features one of the most important Italian race tracks as well as an archeological site that is known as Cozzo Matricethat dates back to around 8000 BC.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
Caltanissetta
The city of Caltanissetta is located on the western interior side of Sicilian Island and lies within rolling hills and features small villages and towns but the city is also condiered to be the hub of public transport in the area.
Caltanissetta’s was founded back in 406 BC by admiral Nicia when Hamilcar’s siege force established their fort in the site which they later called the city Castra Nicia which means Fort Nicia.
There are many places in Caltanissetta to visit, but the most noteworthy sights are the Palazzo Moncada which is a large building that today remains unfinished although it was built in 1635, the Cathedral which is also called the Santa Maria la Nova and was built in 1539-1622, the church of St. Agatha which was built in 1605 using a late-Renaissance style, the church of San Domenico which was built during the16th century but later in the 18th century a façade was added, the Palazzo Vescovile or the Bishop’s Palace which is a Museum of Sacred Art, the church of the Santa Croce which was built the 17th century and the church of San Sebastiano which was built in the 16th century and features a 17th century statue of the saint.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
Agrigento
The Sicilian city of Agrigento is located on the southern coast of the island and is renowned as the site of the ancient Greek city of Akragras in which it had been nuilt upon around the time of 582-580 BC.
Agrigento was sacked by both the Romans as well as the Carthaginians during the third century around 262 BC for the Romans and 255 BC for the Carthaginians. During the Second Punic War both Rome as well as Carthage fought over the city and almost completely destroyed it in the process.
Agrigento is considered to be the major tourist center of Sicily due to its rich archaeological history and also serves as the agricultural center for the region. Regardless of its rich heritage and the fact that it is the major tourist destination in Sicily, Agrigento is also one of the poorest cities on the island.
The best preserved temples for one to visit are two similar buildings that were built as a tribute to the goddesses Juno Lacinia as well as Concordia and one is an amazing spectacle as it was converted into a Christian church sometime around 597 while the other had toppled due to an earthquake long in the past and the stones were quarried.
The largest temple in Agrigento is the Temple of Olympian Zeus which was built to commemorate the Battle of Himera in 480 BC and is believed to be the largest Doric temple ever built. There are also a plethora of archeological sites located at all points of the city for one sight see and explore.
Posted on November 18, 2008 by Love Sicily in Sicily
The city of Catania is the second largest in Sicily and is also the capital of the province of Catania and features a population of 306,000 which gives it the second highest density of population in Sicily. Catania’s patron saint is Saint Agatha and the city is located on the eastern side of the Sicilian Island and was founded some time around 730 BC.
During the First Punic War, Catania was the first city in Sicily to submit to the Romans but continued to maintain a friendly relation with Rome and because of this friendship Catania becam a highly prosperous city under the Roman rule.
By 535, much like the remainder of Sicily, Catania fell under the Byzantine Empire rule and was considered one of the most important Sicilian cities but most of the city was destroyed in the 1169 earthquakes as well as the a 1693 lava flows from Mount Etna that ran right over the top of the city. The city of Catania has been buried by a recorded 7 lava flow from Mount Etna.
The city of Catania was also the birth-place of Charondas who was not only a philosopher but a legislator as well.
Although many of the city’s ancient monuments have been destroyed over the years by a plethora of earthquakes those that exist are the Theater which was built in the 2nd century, the Amphitheater which was also built in the 2nd century and the Odeon which was built in the 3rd century.
Some of the most notable places to visit while in Catania are the Cathedral, the Saint Agatha’s Abbey, the Sant’Agata la Vetere, the Sant’Agata alla Fornace, St. Francis which houses the remains of Eleanor of Sicily, St. Benedict, Basilica Collegiata which was built in the 18th century, the Biscari Palace, the Elephants Palace, the Reburdone Palace, the Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena, the Villa Cerami, the Castello Ursino which was built by Frederick II during the 13th century, the church of Santa Maria del Gesù which was built in the 16th century and the Porta Ferdinandea which was built in 1768.
Catania attempted to build a subway system during the 1990′s through to the early 2000′s, but these underground railways were never completed probably due to the river Amanano which runs under the city and it only visible at one point in its underground passage.
There are also several favorite parks in the city which include the Parco dell’Etna which is a park dedicated to the Mount Etna Volcano, the La Timpa which is a natural park, the Riserva naturale Cavagrande del Cassibile which is also a natural park, the Isola Bella a natural made park as well as the Isole Ciclopi which is a Marine Park.
Posted on November 18, 2006 by Love Sicily in Sicily
The third largest Sicilian city is the city of Messina which is also the capital of the province of the same name and has a population of 750,000. Messina is located in the North-Easter corner of Sicilian Island.
Messina was founded by the Greek during the 8th century BC and was called Zancle originally due to the shape of its natural harbour. It would not be until the early 5th century BC when Anaxilas of Rhegium renamed the city to Messene in order to honor the Greek city Messene
Messina is also considered to be the most likely the harbor that the Black Death had entered Europe during the Middle Ages.
During the end of 1908, the city was totally devistated by not only an earthquake but the tsunami that was associated with the same earthquake in which over 60,000 people were killed and most of the ancient architecture was completely destroyed and although the city was rebuilt a year latter, the city was again destroyed during the 1943 allied foces bombings.
The city of Messina features several ancient items of architecture that were not completely destroyed by the combination of earthquakes, tsunamis and allied forces, which includes the Annunziata dei Catalani which was built during the late 12th to the early13th century and dates originally from the late Norman period but it had been transformed during the 13th century when the building’s nave had been shortened as well as the addition of a façade. Several other ancient buildings also include the Santa Maria degli Alemanni which was most likely built in the early 13th century and belonged to the Knights of Malta, the Sanctuary of Montevergine which houses the body of Saint Eustochia Smeralda Calafato, the Palazzo Calapaj which is near the Duomo and is an example of 18th century Messinese architecture, the Fountain of Orion as well as the Fountain of Neptune which were built and designed by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli in the 16th century, the Senatory Fountain which was built in 1619, the Four Fountains, the San Ranieri Lighthouse which was built in 1555 and the Pylon which was built in 1957.
The Pylon was built so that a 220kV-overhead power line could be fed across the Strait of Messina and at the time of the Pylon’s construction it was considered to be the highest in the world. To keep the Pylons a protected and historical monument, the power line was replaced by an underwater power line which left the Pylons to be a must see place to visit for tourist since 2006 when the underwater power line was created.
The Sicilian city of Cefalù is located on the northern coast of island and is one of the major tourist attractions in the region. The city was founded prior to the 396 BC Carthaginian expedition and is of Greek origin. Throughout the history of Cefalù, the city has been under control of the Byzantine Empire as well as the Normans.
One of the most noteable points of interest in Cefalù is the Cathedral which began construction in 1131 and features Norman architecture but the two matching towers were damaged at one point and had been rebuilt around 1400 as well as the interior restoration in 1559.
Some other points of interest in Cefalù would be the Santa Maria dell’Odigitria which was built in the 16th century, the Santa Oliva which was built in 1787, the San Sebastiano which was built around 1523, the Sant’Andrea, the San Leonardo which was built sometime around 1151, the Immacolatella that was built in 1661, the Oratory of the Santissimo Sacramento which was built in 1688, the Chapel of San Biagio, the Santo Stefano which is also known as the Church of Purgatory, the Santissima Trinità, the Santissima Annunziata which was built around 1511 and the Monastery of St. Catherine.
There are also many palaces and fortresses in Cefalù which include the Seminary and the Bishop’s Palace, the Palazzo Atenasio Martino from the 15th century, the Palazzo Maria which was built in the 13th century, the Palazzo Piraino which came around in the 16th century, the Osterio Magno which was a mansion built by Roger II as well as the Ancient Roman baths.
