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Mount Etna

Through myths and legends.

The highest active volcano of the European continent.

Mount Etna rises up on the Eastern coast of Sicily, within the vast territory of Catania.

It extends over an area larger than 1200 km², with more than 40 km in diameter, and it is considered the highest active volcano of the European continent.

Since 2013 Mount Etna has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Mount Etna has showed up in many myths, legends and story-tellings since the Hellenic period – as some writings by Thucydides, Diodorus Siculus and the poet Pindar testify – but scholars have begun reconstructing its history and evolution only from the 19th century.

The geological history of Mount Etna is very complex and presents different evolutionary phases, during which the height of the volcano has either grown or decreased.

Thus, the volcano shows a composite structure, due to many volcanic edifices that have developed, collapsed or been replaced over the time.

Nowadays, more than 250 cones and eruptive fractures are clearly recognizable along the flanks of Mount Etna, whilst the Eastern side of the volcano is mainly characterized by the presence of the Valle del Bove caldera.

Mount Etna continues to grow up and partially collapse even nowadays; every new eruption causes a variation in the height of its summit.

For instance, consider that in 1981 Etna’s height was approximately of 3.350 meters, and since then it gradually diminished up to the current height of 3.326 meters.

Discover more about our volcano and its history during our tours!

We are a group of Sicilian friends keen on trekking, Volcanology and the history of Sicily. “A Muntagna” or “Mama Etna” – as here they call it – is our passion, and we want to share it with those who come to explore our land for the first time.

Thanks to our excursions you will be able to discover the grandeur of Mount Etna, to know its history and legends, to walk along its most fascinating eruptions and trails - even to conquer its summit!

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