The lower areas of the volcano are characterized by cultural landscapes with blooming gardens and lemon and pistachio trees, and vineyards. From an altitude of 1,000 m, dense woods of chestnuts, oaks, beech and birch trees follow. The height of the giant volcano changes constantly – currently it is around 3,343 m. It is the tallest active volcano of Europe and is listed as UNESCO World Natural Heritage since 2013.

The fertile lava ash makes the soil cultivable and the rain clouds surrounding the volcano favour a flourishing agriculture. But it also has destroyed many surrounding villages and landscapes with its eruptions. The most serious volcanic eruption happened in 1669 and the village Catania was almost completely overrun by lava. During its eruptions in 2002/2003, the ski resort and the cable railway was destroyed, but was put into operation two years later.

It hast four main craters and more than hundred small craters, which are more dangerous, as they tend to surprising eruptions.

The unique Baroque village Catania

The beautiful coastal village Catania lies at the foot of the Etna, and was almost completely destroyed by its eruptions for several times. Catania was rebuilt in the typical Sicilian Baroque, as some further villages in the eastern part of the island, which were destroyed by the serious earthquake in 1693.