Mt. Etna

Mt. Etna Crater

There are three active volcanoes in Italy, Mt. Etna is the largest.  Etna covers are area of 459 square miles and is 3,357 meters high.  Although its height varies with the eruptions.  In 2021, Etna increased in height by 30 meters over a six month period due to the volcanic material added with the eruptions.  There are several craters at the summit and down lower as well.  In addition, there are "lateral" craters that pose an even greater risk as the lava flow is more likely to reach inhabited areas.  Sicilians call Etna "Madre (Mother) because she is generous in providing for them, yet also is strict and punishes them from time to time - much like a mother.

A smaller crater

 The volcanic soil is rich in minerals making the area around Etna an important agricultural region.  Orchards and vineyards abound.  So... Etna gives them food but can also destroy the area with lava.  Given enough time without lava flow the soil will begin to support plants naturally.  You can see at the top of the photo an area that is becoming forested.  You can also see the red hue from the significant amount of iron in the soil.

Blustery day on Etna

 It is pretty cold at that altitude and on the day we visited it was very windy, which added to the cold.  They have cable cars that will not take you all the way to the summit but will take you high enough to see the summit craters.  We declined and later talked to two Spanish fellows who wished they had declined!  The cable car ride in the wind was quite an adventure and then when they reached about 2500 meters the wind was so strong they could not even stand still to take photos.  

Walking in to a lateral crater

Our bravery extended to walking around the rim of this very large lateral crater and even then we thought we might be blown off the mountain!  There is snow at the summit even though it is nearly May, in the winter they actually ski on the volcano.  Did I mention, its cold up there!  

 

House collapsed from the eruption (near the stone barrier)

The good folks from Catania and the surrounding area live in the shadow of Etna.  In the not too distant past people actually built houses and lived in the area at the lower reaches of the volcano.  You cannot see this house very well but it once was a two story house until it was overrun by lava.  The people who lived there escaped in time but the house collapsed.  It is forbidden to build close to the volcano now.  That being said when Etna erupts she can send ash and rock all the way to Catania.  And that is why they say when they wake up in the morning they look to see what kind of mood Etna is in on that day.  Always in the shadow.

Lava flow areas

There is a path that goes all the way around the volcano.  You can ride your bike or hike around it.  They have cabins along the way that you can sleep in as it will take more than a day to hike around Etna.  The different sides of the volcano are completely different depending on how the lava has flowed.  Its either all black lava rock or the beginnings of vegetation or reforestation.  Always something new to see.

Enoteca dell'Etna

 Following the trip to Etna we stopped in a little town called Ragalna.  With Etna in the background of the Enoteca dell'Etna winery, we spent the rest of the afternoon tasting wine, olive pate, pepper jelly, various amazing olive oils, pistachio cream and various liqueurs.  Michael and I left the winery with some amazing goodies for ourselves and all the great cooks in our family.  A perfect day!  Our next stop will be Siracusa, Sicily and the island off of Siracusa called Ortiga Island.  Just a nice day sail from Catania.