Sicily's Natural Wonders

Centered around Mount Etna, Europe's most active stratovolcano, this selection showcases the diverse geological formations of eastern Sicily. It includes the Alcantara Gorge’s basalt cliffs, the high-altitude ice of Grotta del Gelo, and the expansive Valle del Bove depression. The list features various volcanic structures, from the 1992 lava flows and the distinct North East and South East craters to the legendary sea stacks of the Riviera dei Ciclopi, formed by ancient submarine eruptions.

Hein56didden / CC BY-SA 3.0

Etna

Mount Etna, or simply Etna, is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the…

Anders Bagnegaard Kristensen / CC-BY-SA

Alcantara Gorge

The river Alcantara creates a beuatiful natural scenery, winding among rocky cliffs and cascading on several waterfalls.

Monte Mojo

An extinct volcanic cone located on the left bank of the Alcantara River, distinct from the main Etna volcanic complex.

Grotta di Sant'Agrippina

A cave in the Mineo municipality traditionally used as a site of worship dedicated to Saint Agrippina.

Grotta delle Palombe

A volcanic fracture cave formed within the Monti Rossi during the significant eruption of 1669.

Marcoetna / CC BY 3.0

Grotta del Gelo

Grotta del Gelo is a volcanic cave of Mount Etna which is known for the presence of a large amount of ice.

Christian Weigt / CC-BY-SA

Crateri Barbagallo

Two cinder cones created during the 2002-2003 eruption, named in honor of the historic Etna guide, Vincenzo Barbagallo.

New South East Crater

One of the most active summit craters of Mount Etna, responsible for many of the volcano's recent paroxysmal events.

South East Crater

Formed in 1971, this is one of the four summit craters of Mount Etna and a frequent site of eruptive activity.

North East Crater

The highest point of Mount Etna, this summit crater first formed in 1911 and remains one of its most active vents.

Riviera deli Ciclopi

A coastal stretch featuring the Ciclopi Islands, massive basalt sea stacks created by submarine volcanic activity approximately 500,000 years ago.

Crazychemist1 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Monte Zoccolaro

A volcanic ridge on the eastern flank of Etna providing views of the Valle del Bove and the summit craters.

Valle del Bove

A vast, horseshoe-shaped depression on the eastern side of Mount Etna, covering an area of approximately 37 square kilometers.

Monte Fontane

A panoramic viewpoint situated on the edge of the Valle del Bove, offering vistas of the Ionian coast and volcanic slopes.

Belvedere di Calanna

A scenic overlook providing views of the Val Calanna and ancient lava formations.

La colata lavica del 1992

A site preserving the solidified lava from the 1992 eruption, which was the longest-lasting flank eruption of Etna in the 20th century.

Belvedere

A scenic viewpoint overlooking the rural landscapes surrounding the Etna region.