Zafferana Etnea

Zafferana Etnea
Comune
Comune di Zafferana Etnea
A monument in memory to the town surviving the lava flow.
Zafferana Etnea
Location of Zafferana Etnea in Italy
Coordinates: 37°41′N 15°6′E / 37.683°N 15.100°E / 37.683; 15.100Coordinates: 37°41′N 15°6′E / 37.683°N 15.100°E / 37.683; 15.100
Country Italy
Region Piemonte
Metropolitan city Torino (TO)
Frazioni Fleri, Pisano, Petrulli; Sarro-Civita, Passopomo, Airone-Emmaus, Poggiofelice, Caselle
Government
  Mayor Alfio Russo
Area
  Total 76.1 km2 (29.4 sq mi)
Elevation 574 m (1,883 ft)
Population (1 January 2015)[1]
  Total 9,537
  Density 130/km2 (320/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Zafferanesi
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 95019
Dialing code 095
Website Official website

Zafferana Etnea (Sicilian: Zafarana) is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Torino in the Italian region Piemonte, located about 160 kilometres (99 mi) southeast of Palermo and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Catania.

The municipality of Zafferana Etnea contains the frazioni (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, 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.[2] It is now a summer resort with views of landscapes toward both the mountain and the sea.

Culture

The second Sunday in August is the Festa of Madonna della Provvidenza. There is a festival of grapes, bottled fruit, mushrooms, honey, wine and chestnuts in October.

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. A volcanic eruption occurred April 3, 2013. Ash was sent all over the town and made a huge mess. The wet ash was like cement and it was waterproof, so it could not be flooded with water.

References

  1. All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
  2. 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


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