Discover the highest volcano in Europe
Etna is the volcanic massif that dominates the entire eastern coast of Sicily and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Thanks to the 2700 years of eruptive activity, its height today exceeds 3300 meters of altitude on about 45 km of base diameter. Over the millennia with its activity it has contributed to shape the surrounding area, modifying the landscape. Its spectacular eruptions have always been at the center of the interest of scientists and visitors from all over the world.
Its eruptions occur both at the top, where there are currently four craters, and from the sides, up to heights of a few hundred meters above the sea level. The summit area is represented by 4 craters: the Voragine and the Bocca Nuova, which were formed inside the Central Crater respectively in 1945 and 1968, the Northeast Crater, which has existed since 1911 which is currently the most high of Etna, and finally the South-East Crater, born in 1971.
In 2013, Etna became part of the Unesco World Heritage List, as a natural World Heritage site, due to its geological peculiarities of relevance. The Etnean territory is vast and above all variegated: urban areas and vast wooded areas, naturalistic environments of rare beauty, alternate with suggestive lunar landscapes, deserted areas subject to lava flows. Like the impressive Valle del Bove, a huge depression paved by lava fields of historical and prehistoric eruptions, a must-see in the Etna Park, a protected natural area established in 1987.
The park and the volcano itself can be visited: Etna offers a real treasure to lovers of nature and excursions. Different types of tours can be made, with itineraries suitable for both beginners and experts, always accompanied by qualified volcanological guides. If you want to walk among the natural paths of the Etna Park, among woods and green orchards, or reach the highest altitudes to admire lunar landscapes, craters and centuries-old lava flows, active caves and fumaroles, and enjoy all the scenarios that this spectacular volcano can offer, book your adventure now.
Credits: thanks to Antonio Bruno for the photos on this page.