Zafferana Etnea

Zafferana Etnea
Zafarana (Sicilian)
Comune
Comune di Zafferana Etnea
Monument to the town in memory of surviving the lava flow
Monument to the town in memory of surviving the lava flow
Location of Zafferana Etnea
Map
Zafferana Etnea is located in Italy
Zafferana Etnea
Zafferana Etnea
Location of Zafferana Etnea in Italy
Zafferana Etnea is located in Sicily
Zafferana Etnea
Zafferana Etnea
Zafferana Etnea (Sicily)
Coordinates: 37°41′N 15°6′E / 37.683°N 15.100°E / 37.683; 15.100
CountryItaly
RegionSicily
Metropolitan cityCatania (CT)
FrazioniFleri, Pisano, Petrulli; Sarro-Civita, Passopomo, Airone-Emmaus, Poggiofelice, Caselle
Government
 • MayorSalvatore Russo [1]
Area
[2]
 • Total
76.1 km2 (29.4 sq mi)
Elevation
574 m (1,883 ft)
Population
 (1 January 2015)[3]
 • Total
9,537
 • Density130/km2 (320/sq mi)
DemonymZafferanesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
95019
Dialing code095
WebsiteOfficial website

Zafferana Etnea (Italian pronunciation: [dzaffeˈraːna etˈnɛːa]; Sicilian: Zafarana [tsafaˈɾaːna]) is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, 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 Mount Etna.[4] 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 in October and is an opportunity to partake of local pastries and cakes as well as typical products of the city such as grapes, bottled fruit, mushrooms, honey, liquor, wine, and chestnuts. Handcrafted products made by local artisans are also on display. The festival also presents exhibitions, documentaries about the Etna volcano, shows, and dance performances. The citizens of Zafferana Etnea start preparing in mid-September.

Zafferana, along with Nicolosi, is now regarded as a major tourist stopping point for summer and winter expeditions to the summit of Mt. Etna.

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "Zafferana Etnea". cittametropolitana.ct.it.
  2. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
  4. ^ 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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