Mt. Etna's surroundings
Mt. Etna began in the Quaternary period and it is the highest active volcano on the Eurasian plate.
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Its frequent eruptions over time have changed the surrounding landscape, sometimes profoundly, and on many occasions have posed a threat to the settlements that have sprung up on its slopes.
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On 21 June 2013, during the 37th session of the UNESCO Committee, Etna was placed on the list as being a World Heritage Sites.
Interesting to Know
The area surrounding Mt. Etna has very different morphologic features and typologies depending on altitude. The volcano is farmed up to 1,000 metres above sea level and heavily urbanised on the eastern and southern slopes. It is wild and barren on the western side where the ski slopes prevail, especially on the northern side. The northern slope is less urbanised but gentler, where the woods dominate above Linguaglossa. The eastern side is characterised by the unsettling appearance of the Valle del Bove, on the edge of which dense woodland climbs. The surrounding area has features that make it excellent for agricultural and wine production, thanks to the particular fertility of the volcanic debris. The inhabited and cultivated area reaches almost 1,000 metres above sea level, while the wooded areas reach up to 1,500 metres. Large parts of its slopes are included in the natural park bearing the same name.