Comune Di Nicolosi
Nicolosi is a municipality in the Province of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about 12 kilometres northwest of Catania.
Located 700m a.s.l. on the slopes of the volcano it is regarded as the Gateway to Etna. On several occasions eruptions have highly damaged the city, 1669’s notably devastating. Both on this occasion and on following earthquake in 1693, the people proudly strove to restore the town back to its ancient splendor, rejecting the possibility to move elsewhere.
A Volcano Museum, particularly focused on Etna (Museo Vulcanologico), bears witness to the close link between Nicolosi and its volcano.
HISTORY
Nicolosi’s history begins in the 12th century, when a Benedictine Monastery dedicated to San Nicolò l’Arena was erected on a former Chapel. This was to be moved to Catania some century later. Around the monastery soon grew a village that took the name of the religious building, long ruled by the Moncadas from Paternò.
THE CITY
Nicolosi has numerous buildings of architectural and historical interest. The Mother Church, dedicated to the Holy Spirit was largely restructured after the 1669 eruption; it contains several interesting works of art such as a wooden Crucifix and an organ.
The benedictine monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena, at a short distance from town, was built at Frederick II of Aragon’s behest. It is now seat of the Etna Park.
Among the minor churches a mention must go to San Giuseppe’s and the small Anime del Purgatorio’s.
In Nicolosi, where the official guides are centred (095/7914755), begins a nice road that stretches up to the Rifugio Sapienza, from where excursions to the crater start.
Up to the summit of Etna – The route lies through a strangely unnerving landscape with black lava below and blue sky above, relieved occasionally by a white patch of snow or lonely cloud as if for dramatic effect. Before getting to the refuge, a sign points to the Crateri Silvestri, moonlike craters a short walk away, at a height of 1886 m.
Ascent from the south side – The section up to 1923m can be made by cable-car (from the Rifugio Sapienza), to 2608m by four-wheel drive vehicle, leaving a short distance to cover on foot. For safety reasons, it is not possible to get close to the central vent. An excursion by vehicle includes a stop near the Valle del Bove, a vast sunken area (hence the description as a valley) enclosed by 1000m high walls of lava, split with great crevasses and chasms. This zone has been the scene of violent eruptions, with flows of lava that succeeded in reaching the towns below (1852, 1950, 1979 and 1991).
«Le masse di lava in primo piano, le vette gemelle dei Monti Rossi a sinistra, e di rimpetto a noi la selva di Nicolosi, sopra la quale si ergeva il cono dell'Etna ricoperto di neve e leggermente fumante».
(J. W. Goethe, Viaggio in Italia, 1786-1788)
Intervista Salvo Caffo a cura della Associazione Polena
Intervista a Salvo Caffo
Vulcanologo
a cura della Associazione Polena (presidente Luisa Trovato)
Evento artistico - culturale
Thesaurum lapis et maris nostri”
evento inserito nel Progetto “Tesori e Patrimoni II”, sez. “Tesori Mediterranei”, iniziativa a cura dell’Associazione Polena in
collaborazione con Soprintendenza ai BB.CC. di Catania, Comune di Belpasso, Distretto Produttivo della Pietra Lavica dell’Etna, Vecchia Dogana, Università di Catania, in particolare il Dipartimento di Scienze Politiche, Regione Siciliana – Assessorato ai Beni Culturali e all’Identità Siciliana, Comune di Catania, Parco dell’Etna, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Museo Vulcanologico Gemmellaro di Nicolosi, Autorità Portuale di Catania, Catania Cruise Terminal di Catania;
Vecchia Dogana di Catania
17 settembre 2015