tradition Archives

Christmas on Etna: the Processions of Linguaglossa

Posted on 22/12/2025 by Grazia Musumeci

Set 45 km from Catania, on the northern slope of the mighty volcano Etna, the town of Linguaglossa is famous throughout Sicily for its murals and its production of fennel-flavoured sausages. Its narrow streets, lined with ancient, low houses, hide splendid churches and small gardens where it’s not uncommon to see grapevines. Mount Etna’s finest […]

Christmas on Etna: Belpasso’s Floats

Posted on 14/12/2025 (14/12/2025) by Grazia Musumeci

Christmas on Mount Etna begins with the celebrations dedicated to Saint Lucy. The Sicilian saint (originally from Syracuse) is highly revered in the volcano’s territory, not only for her historical proximity to Catania’s patron saint, Saint Agatha, but also because her symbols are precisely those of “light” and fire. Many towns around Etna celebrate Saint […]

Five ideas for starting New Year on Mt Etna

Posted on 06/01/2025 (23/02/2025) by Grazia Musumeci

After having given the usual resounding welcome to the new year, we find ourselves in the first week of January already planning the near future. Whether you are a permanent resident or a tourist, when you have the privilege of living at the foot of a volcano like Etna all your choices will also revolve […]

Volcanoes and mandarins: the Holy Cribs of Etna

Posted on 23/12/2024 (23/02/2025) by Grazia Musumeci

The making of nativity scene (Holy Crib) is a very ancient tradition in Sicily. One of the classic traditions that has remained most alive, ever, even resisting the “invasion” of Santa Claus and the famous Christmas tree. Once upon a time, for Sicilians, the Holy Crib was the center of the Christmas celebration – as […]

Halloween mask “Etna style”: here’s how to create it

Posted on 30/10/2023 (23/02/2025) by Grazia Musumeci

Even if it doesn’t seem like it, Mount Etna is also a place of magic linked to mysteries. There are stories of ghosts of queens who lost their slipper here, there are stories of mysterious sounds heard in Valle del Bove, and for some years mysterious sculptures have appeared among the most beautiful birch trees. […]