Zafferana Etnea (; scn, Zafarana ) is a ''

comune The (; plural: ) is a local administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions ('' regioni'') and provinces (''province''). The can also ...

'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

region

Sicily (man) it, Siciliana (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = Ethnicity , demographics1_footnotes = , demographi ...

, located about southeast of Palermo and about north of Catania. The municipality of Zafferana Etnea contains the ''

frazioni A ''frazione'' (plural: ) is a type of subdivision of a ''comune'' (municipality) in Italy, often a small village or hamlet outside the main town. Most ''frazioni'' were created during the Fascist era (1922–1943) as a way to consolidate territ ...

'' (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) Fleri, Pisano, Petrulli; Sarro-Civita, Passopomo, Airone-Emmaus, Poggiofelice, and Caselle. Zafferana Etnea borders the following municipalities:

Aci Sant'Antonio Aci Sant'Antonio ( scn, Jaci Sant'Antoniu) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italy, Italian region of Sicily, located about southeast of Palermo and about northeast of Catania. The ''frazione'' of Sant ...

Acireale Acireale (; scn, Jaciriali, locally shortened to ''Jaci'' or ''Aci'') is a coastal city and ''comune'' in the north-east of the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, southern Italy, at the foot of Mount Etna, on the coast facing the Ionian Sea. ...

Adrano Adrano (, scn, Ddirnò), ancient '' Adranon'', is a town and in the Metropolitan City of Catania on the east coast of Sicily. It is situated around northwest of Catania, which was also the capital of the province to which Adrano belonged, n ...

Belpasso Belpasso ( scn, Malupassu, Marpassu or Mappassu) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about southeast of Palermo and about northwest of Catania. Belpasso is the second bigges ...

Biancavilla Biancavilla () is a town and '' comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. It is located between the towns of Adrano and S. Maria di Licodia, northwest of Catania. The town was founded and historically inhabited by t ...

, Bronte,

Castiglione di Sicilia Castiglione di Sicilia ( Sicilian: ''Castigghiuni di Sicilia'') is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in Sicily, southern Italy. Castiglione di Sicilia lies about east of Palermo and about north of Catania. It ...

, Giarre,

Maletto Maletto ( scn, Malettu) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about east of Palermo and about northwest of Catania. Maletto borders the following municipalities: Adrano, Belpa ...

Milo Milo may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Milo'' (magazine), a strength sports magazine *'' Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze'', a 2011 children's novel by Alan Silberberg * ''Milo'' (video game), a first-person adventure-puzzle computer ga ...

Nicolosi Nicolosi ( scn, Niculùsi) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about southeast of Palermo and about northwest of Catania. Nicolosi borders the following municipalities: Adra ...

, Pedara,

Randazzo Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. Randazzo ( scn, Rannazzu) is a town and '' comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. It is situated at the northern foot of Mount Etna, c. northwest of Catania. It is the nearest ...

Sant'Alfio Saint Alphys (in Italian: Sant'Alfio) or ( scn, Sant'Arfiu) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, about east of Palermo and about north of Catania. Saint Alphys borders the following mu ...

Santa Venerina Santa Venerina ( Sicilian: ''Santa Vinirina'') is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about southeast of Palermo and about northeast of Catania. Santa Venerina borders the foll ...

, Trecastagni,

Viagrande Viagrande ( Sicilian: ''Varanni'') is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about southeast of Palermo and about north of Catania. Viagrande is from the summit of Mount Etna, which ...

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 Several types of volcanic eruptions—during which lava, tephra (ash, lapilli, volcanic bombs and volcanic blocks), and assorted gases are expelled from a volcanic vent or fissure—have been distinguished by volcanologists. These are oft ...

of Mount Etna.Zafferana Etnea Journal; It's Plug Up Mt. Etna or Go the Way of Pompeii
by Alan Cowell on April 25, 1992, ''New York Times'' 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

, is now regarded as one of the major tourist stopping points for summer and winter expeditions to the summit of Mt. Etna.

Notable people

* Giuseppe Sciuti (1834-1911), painter * Alfio Rapisarda (born 1933), prelate * Alfio Giuffrida (born 1953), painter and sculptor * Rosario Di Bella (born 1963), singer and songwriter

References

Cities and towns in Sicily {{Sicily-geo-stub