Nicolosi: Monti Silvestri, volcano museums and churches

Nicolosi is a destination for travellers who want not only to see volcanic landscapes, but also to understand them from different perspectives in museums, historic buildings and along paths. In addition, Pane nero di Immanu is a speciality associated with Nicolosi.

Volcanic landscapes and paths around Nicolosi

Among the distinctive landforms are the Monti Silvestri: two inactive craters formed as a result of the 1892 eruption. North of Nicolosi lies Cava Asero, a disused lava quarry where the layering of old and new lava flows is visible.

Access to the paths at the Monti Rossi is on Via Goethe, near the Monti Rossi Adventure Park in the northern part of Nicolosi. At Cava Asero, a nature trail was created on a restored municipal path leading to the front of the 2001 lava flow. The Sentiero del Germoplasma is approximately 1,153 metres long, has a gentle gradient of 7 per cent and, with its special surface, facilitates use by people with mobility impairments. The Schiena dell’Asino path can be walked in every season, provided there is no snow.

Higher up towards Etna

The Nicolosi Nord–Etna Sud station (Rifugio Sapienza) is located in the Nicolosi area at an altitude of 1,910 metres and provides tourist services for ascending to the summit areas of Etna. A bus service starts in Catania at Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII, reaches Nicolosi and then continues to the Etna Sud tourist and sports station (Nicolosi Nord).

Churches, monuments and monastic history

The Tre Altarelli is an 18th-century monument with three arches. It was erected at the site where the lava flow from the 1766 eruption came to a halt and represents the three patron saints of Nicolosi. The Chiesa Madre was built according to a design by Vaccarini in the first half of the 18th century. The Church of Madonna del Carmelo in Nicolosi also dates from the 18th century.

The Monastero di San Nicolò l’Arena in Nicolosi was built from lava stone. The ancient monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena was a former abbey residence.

Volcanic knowledge and regional specialities

The Museo Vulcanologico Etneo contains photographs and large-format images of eruptions, as well as a true-to-scale model of the entire Etna area. It also displays scoria, hematite crystals, sulphur crystals and silicates. The Museo Vulcanologico dell’Etna displays volcanic lava rock and provides information about the formation of the volcano and the main types of its volcanic activity.

In terms of regional flavours, Pane nero di Immanu – also known as Irmana, Irmanu or Germanico – is one of the specialities associated with Nicolosi. It is considered a typical bread made from 80 per cent rye flour and 20 per cent durum wheat semolina.

Further destinations

Further destinations for your planning include Bronte, Santa Venerina, Misterbianco, Biancavilla, Fiumefreddo Di Sicilia, Santo Pietro, Fondachello and Santa Maria Di Licodia.

For the higher-level travel overview: Catania.