No trip to Sicily would be complete without walking on Mount Etna and that is exactly what we did last weekend.
At over 10,000ft, it is in almost constant activity and eruptions occur frequently. Last winter alone, Etna erupted twice while we were here covering the boat in a fine, black ash. The volcano emerged out of volcanic activity some 35,000 years ago with the first recorded eruption taking place around 1500BC. The most devastating eruption so far was in 1669 when a massive river of lava destroyed 16 towns and killed up to 12,000 people. Since 1987 the volcano and its slopes have been designated a national park, incorporating 590 sq. km and 21 towns.
We witnessed the results of more recent eruptions that left just rooftops poking out of the now solid, black lava. One building however is considered a miracle. The story goes that a group of local nuns were staying in a convent on the slopes and, though evacuated, kept praying that their convent be spared. The lava stopped just centimetres from the convent, surrounded the building without touching it, and then carried on its decent. That has to be a miracle! Check out the photos to see what we mean.
We went up to 6,000ft and walked up to the edge of Silvestre Crater where it was blowing a gale! The black lava rock landscape was quite dramatic, especially when the sun came out and highlighted the lime green shrubs that were beginning to grow and bring life back to the area.
From here we then went into the woods for some chestnut harvesting! The golden autumnal colours were in complete contrast to the volcano and we enjoyed foraging for chestnuts in the leaves.
The day ended with a visit to a festival in the town of Zafferana Etnea, on Etna's slopes, where stand holders sold local honey, salamis, fresh porcini mushrooms and pistachios as well as lots of other handicrafts. A great day out was had by all.
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