Acireale

The senses tell Acireale

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The sea at more than 180°

Etna’s best outlet into the sea is in the area of the Timpe. From here, in some panoramic viewpoints it is possible to observe the open sea with a panorama that extends past 180°. And on clear days, the Ionian coast of Calabria can be seen, too.

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Where granita was born

Acireale is the birthplace of the Sicilian granita. In fact, this is one of the few places in Sicily where lots of snow and ice was possible during the winter, which were stored in iceboxes dug into the rock then distributed during the summer with carts. The ice was flavoured with sugar and one of the most abundant fruits in this part of Sicily, the lemon. So make the most of a visit to Acireale and taste the authentic flavour of the Sicilian granita

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Warmth, even in winter

You will find several places and viewpoints along the cliffs of the Timpe. In these areas shaped by time and the movement of the earth, you can see many lava flows emerging along the roads. Try placing your hands on them and you will feel the accumulated heat that they emanate, during the day and at night, even during the coldest times of the year.

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The power of the sea

There is nothing more powerful than the stormy sea. If you are lucky, go to the edge of the timpa during a storm coming from the east and you will hear the real power of the sea, so intense that the ground beneath you vibrates, too.

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The scent of the sea acireale

The Timpe are one of the Etnean places where you can appreciate the characteristic scent of the sea, especially when the sea breeze rises around lunchtime. Take a deep breath and enjoy.

Malavoglia

The continuous evolution of the Etna summit craters

The senses tell Torre del Filosofo

The world’s first (almost successful) attempt to stop a lava flow: the eruption of 1991-93

An ever-evolving volcano

Etna, a natural laboratory where experiments can be carried out

The earthquake that changed the geography of eastern Sicily in 1693

Torre del Filosofo: at the base of the summit craters (2950 metres)

A fauna yet to be discovered

Empedocles and his passion for Etna

Acireale and its “timpe”

Why is Etna one of the most studied volcanoes in the world?

The senses tell Valle del Leone

Valle del Leone and the Elliptical

The Elliptical, the first great volcano of Etna

The senses tell Acicastello and Acitrezza

The eruption of 1928 that destroyed the town of Mascali

The 1669 eruption in Catania

Summit crater activity between 2011 and 2019

The Jaci river

The different names of the “Muntagna”

The Grand Tour in Sicily

Val Calanna, the first step towards a single large volcanic structure

Acireale and reconstruction after the 1693 earthquake

The senses tell Acireale

The fault system of the “Timpe” of Acireale

The senses tell The Red Mountains

The first volcanic structures of Etna, between Aci Castello and Aci Trezza

Humankind and the volcano: how should we behave? Volcanic risk

The senses tell The Etna Viewpoint

The Red Mountains and the destructive eruption of 1669

Etna: a marvellous group of different types of flora

The Etna viewpoint

The senses tell Val Calanna

Lachea Island and the Aci Trezza Stacks

The “notches” of snow

The living mountain

The 2001 eruption of Etna, when the Mountain seemed to be alive

The senses tell The summit craters