Etna is the most active volcano not only in Italy but also a large part of the world.
It rises on the eastern coast of Sicily, where it is also called Mungibeddu o 'aMuntagna, and is about 3,400 meters high with a considerable diameter of 40 kilometers.
Over the centuries, many famous people have been talking about the magnificence of Etna: from Pindar to Homer up to Goethe, Guy De Maupassant and De Amicis, as well as scientists, writers, philosophers and emperors. Speaking of emperors, as history tells us, in 125 AD, Hadrian reached the summit of the volcano, from where he admired the sunrise. The most beautiful of his life, so much so that Hadrian, remembering that episode, said: “It was one of the supreme moments of my life”.
Today all travelers can relive the same experience of the emperor, arriving at the top and letting themselves be embraced by a view that is nothing short of sensational. Etna, in fact, offers stunning views but also the nature that covers it is exceptional. The surface of the volcano is the most varied there is: it goes from a very rich flora, with dense woods, to the most complete desolation as it approaches the top, with lunar landscapes given by the dark color of the magmatic rock. Over a thousand meters, starting from winter and often until summer, the volcano is cloaked in a thick layer of snow which makes its appearance even more fascinating.
On Etna it is possible to visit the astronomical observatory of Serra la Nave, located at 1,725 meters above sea level. Here you can book a visit to one of the telescopes and observe the sun, during the day, and the other stars starting at sunset. Another feature of Etna are undoubtedly its underground caves, the deepest and largest in Italy and among the most famous in the world.