Zafferana Etnea


Zafferana Etnea is a comune in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about southeast of Palermo and about north of Catania.
The municipality of Zafferana Etnea contains the frazioni Fleri, Pisano, Petrulli; Sarro-Civita, Passopomo, Airone-Emmaus, Poggiofelice, and Caselle.
Zafferana Etnea borders the following municipalities: Aci Sant'Antonio, Acireale, Adrano, Belpasso, Biancavilla, Bronte, Castiglione di Sicilia, Giarre, Maletto, Milo, Nicolosi, Pedara, Randazzo, Sant'Alfio, Santa Venerina, Trecastagni, Viagrande.

History

The town spread around the Priory of San Giacomo, founded in 1387 in the upper part of the Valle del Bove, the point of confluence of the lava streams from Etna's Eastern craters which frequently have destroyed the town, which has always been rebuilt. Zafferana Etnea was threatened by the 1992 volcanic eruption of Mt. Etna. It is now a summer resort with views of landscapes toward both the mountain and the sea.

Culture

In August, every second Sunday of each year, Zafferana Etnea celebrates Festa della Madonna della Provvidenza. It is the most important religious and folkloric celebration of the year and celebrates the Patron Saint of Zafferana Etnea "Madonna della Provvidenza".
In October, the municipality of Zafferana Etnea organizes a unique festival called Ottobrata Zafferanese. It is celebrated every Sunday of October and it is an opportunity not only to taste typical pastries and cakes, but also to discover and buy typical products of the city and period, such as grapes, bottled fruit, mushrooms, honey, liquor, wine and chestnuts. It is also a beautiful display of handcrafted products made by local artisans. During this event, people can also enjoy exhibitions, documentaries about the Etna volcano, shows and dance performances. This event is very important and the citizens of Zafferana Etnea start preparing the areas of this event from half of September.
Zafferana, along with Nicolosi, is now regarded as one of the major tourist stopping points for summer and winter expeditions to the summit of Mt. Etna.