About Etna

According to legend, Mount Etna was the home of the god Hephaestus.

The immense forge where Hephaestus forged the gods’ splendid weapons is kept in the heart of the volcano. It would be the blows of the anvils and hammers used by Hephaestus that would rumble Etna, and the fire of his forge that would make the top of the volcano redden.

Etna is the largest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world. Since 2013, it has been part of UNESCO’s heritage due to its uniqueness. “The craters, ashes, lava flows, lava caves, and the depression of the Bove valley make Mount Etna a privileged destination and an important international research center with a long history of influence on vulcanology, geology, and other earth science disciplines.” Furthermore, “its notoriety, scientific importance, cultural and educational values are of worldwide significance.”

Centuries and centuries of eruptions have modified the surrounding landscape, transforming the typical Mediterranean flora and fauna of Sicily into a suggestive, almost lunar environment.

It is not uncommon to observe huge columns of white smoke rising from the main craters, or abundant lava flows that become a true spectacle at sunset.

With its 3,350 m of “living” nature, it can give unique emotions to experienced hikers and tourists from all over the world.