Etna

Sicily is the best European resort region of standing reputation. There are cozy seaside towns, unique architecture heritage of world importance, well-known Sicily cuisine, sand beaches, tropical verdure and this combination is the “Eden” for tourists. The biggest volcano in Europe – Etna – is the main sight of the island. This magnificent mountain destroyed Sicily’s towns many times. For example, a part of Catania was rebuilt anew after the eruption in the 17th century.

The Sicilians call the volcano not by name but just the Mount. For them Etna is not an object of inanimate nature but the terrible deity with its own dark and incomprehensible intentions. There are even ancient Greek myths about the Mount: Enceladus was disabled by a spear thrown by the goddess Athena. He was buried on the island of Sicily under the Mount Etna. The volcanic fires of Etna are said to be the breath of Enceladus and its tremors to be caused by him rolling his injured side beneath the mountain. In Greece earthquakes are still often called a "strike of Enceladus".

Though it is worth mentioning that the fears of volcano-monster are quite exaggerated and there are only the necessary legends every touristic region must have. The eruption that ruined Catania almost completely is considered to be the most destructive. But nobody mentioned that that time lava-stream broke the city wall only and there were no even victims.

10 years later after that eruption new exotic city walls in baroque appeared in Catania. Volcano tufa became the main material for the city restoration.

The Sicilians are not afraid of Etna’s nearness. Quite the reverse they are thankful for especial fertile soil at the environs of the Mount. Etna’s vineyards are considered to be the best on Sicily. The towns of Dsafferana and Nicolosi, which are just at the foot of the Mount, are the most visited on Sicily. All the territory round Etna is considered to be forbidden.