Etna: the excursion and the volcanological museum

The volcano is one of the main attractions of the entire Sicilian island. Its natural park attracts onlookers from all over the world for its beauty. Furthermore, Etna is one of the first parks established in Italy in 1987.

The natural environment that Etna represents is therefore protected on a national level as it encompasses various landscapes, a rich geo-diversity, and volcanic phenomena that are unique in the world. For this reason, Etna Park has enormous scientific value and often many reach it for educational as well as naturalistic purposes. Walking along the Etna excursion it is possible to encounter flourishing vegetation composed of various species, very diversified. Dense woods suddenly give way to large meadows and green cultivated meadows that alternate with black expanses of recent lava. All this creates a truly unique and particular landscape, an environmental mosaic that is the favorite home of various animal species. The paths are many and allow everyone to have a privileged point of view on this spectacle of nature as well as one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the world.

Excursion to Etna

Also called Mongibello, the Etna volcano presents some interesting surprises. Along its paths, it is possible to see the Silvestri Craters, two huge extinct craters located on the south side of the volcano and whose origin dates back to an eruption in the 1980s. Here you can still smell the sulfur strong. Another attraction that can be found on Etna is the famous Grotta del Gelo known for the perennial presence of ice that accumulates inside it and represents the southernmost glacier in Europe. Etna became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 and its natural heritage to be explored on foot is truly immense and varied. On the north side, it is also possible to reach the Sartorius Mountains, craters dating back to 1865 that can be reached by car as far as the Citelli Refuge. This area is characterized by the presence of numerous kinds of wood, including that birch as well as numerous picnic areas suitable for families who like to spend a day immersed in nature.

The volcanological museum

To learn more about this natural place, you cannot miss a visit to the volcanological museum of Etna located in Nicolosi. The museum is dedicated to the highest volcano in Europe and is revisited in a modern and multimedia key, with exhibition areas of different sizes. You can admire samples of lava products, but there are also several services inside the museum dedicated to the flavors and aromas of the products of this rich land, such as cafes, restaurants, and bookstores where you can buy dedicated products.