Etna, a great resource
The ancient tradition of processing lava rock is an integral part of the sicilian artistic and cultural heritage: it is an eternal material, which has been handed down for generations without losing its original splendor. Lava rock is mostly used for paving roads, decorations, portals and various kinds of architectural elements. The most important architectural works of the province of Etna are made of lava material, like the elephant in Duomo square and Porta Garibaldi in Catania, the obelisks in Piedimonte etneo and numerous churches of the Etna area. With the glazing process on lava stone it is possible to obtain fireplaces, tables and interior design...
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Etna produce
The Sicilian climate and the fertile volcanic soil are critical to the quality of the local produce of Etna. In first place, to name only the most important, wine, honey, apples, olive oil, chestnuts, pistachio nuts, mushrooms, almonds , hazelnuts and vegetables. The wine producing industries use grapes variety cultivated on the volcanic soils along the Etna slopes, which give local grapes a valuable and unique organoleptic characteristics. The DOC denomination has been awarded to Etna wines thanks to these qualities. Honey, the gold of Etna, is a valuable source of income in some areas of the Etna. With over seven hundred beekeepers, Zafferana boasts the production of about 15% of the total national production. Honey from Etna is renowned throughout Italy, particulary for its healing properties and it is currently used in the preparation of typical sweets and...
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Excursions Etna
Nature trails along the paths of the most evocative largest volcano in Europe. In direct contact with “a muntagna” and its heritage of science, nature, culture and traditions. An excellent complement to the visit of...
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A Journey to the Center of the Earth
The largest museum in Italy dedicated to the earth’s volcanoes offers a unique opportunity to get into the heart of the volcanic eruptions. With the support of experts it will seem to make a journey to the center of the Earth to discover how and why volcanoes exist, how they work and what hazards pose to populations: focus on volcanoes of the world, history of the Earth and its internal structure to understand the dynamic that causes earthquakes and the creation of volcanoes. There is also an entire section devoted to the work done by volcanologists and scientific techniques for monitoring Etna and other Italian...
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The Ciclope
At times myth and history mingle. It would seem that the origin of the myth of the Cyclops, the monstrous giants with a single eye set in the middle of their forehead, can be derived from the discovery of prehistoric elephants’ skulls found in some sicilian grottes. In fact, the elephant’s skull without tusks resemble in shape to that of humans, only much larger and with a single hole in the center. In reality, this hole is the proboscis cavity but the first discoverers of the remains did not know this and thought to giant creatures with only one eye. Hence the legend was born. The story of the Cyclops in Sicily has been narrated by many, but the most well-know version is undoubtedly that in Homer’s Odyssey which recounts the episode when Ulysses encounters Polyphemus, the terrible Cyclops...
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Contacts
Information/Tickets: 095 7890768 / 347 0415868
Museo dell'Etna, Viagrande (CT) 
