Misterbianco
Welcome to Misterbianco!
Hello everyone and welcome to Misterbianco! If you're looking for a cool and welcoming place to spend your holidays, this is the right place for you. Located at the foot of the impressive Mount Etna, Misterbianco is an Italian municipality of the metropolitan city of Catania in Sicily, with a geographical area of about 32 km² and a population of 49,039 inhabitants (updated as of November 30, 2022). In this article, we will provide you with all the necessary information to discover the history and beauties of this wonderful municipality in Sicily.
The history of Misterbianco
The history of Misterbianco is fascinating and rich in events that have contributed to its growth and current beauty. The name of the municipality derives from "Monasterium Album", a monastery located in the Campanarazzu district, whose monks wore a white habit. The monastery and the ancient village were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Etna in 1669, but the municipality was rebuilt in a new site, the Milicia district, thanks to the authorization obtained from the Court of the Royal Heritage. The reconstruction was carried out faithfully to the previous city structure, maintaining the Piazza dei Quattro Canti, the churches and the four aristocratic palaces, Santonocito, Scuderi, Anfuso and Santagati.
Noteworthy are the remains of the ancient Mother Church, dedicated to Santa Maria de Monasterio Albo and cited in some thirteenth-century documents. After the eruption of 1669, only the bell tower remained until the early 2000s, when archaeological excavations uncovered the entire nave, the original floor, the apse, the side altars and surrounding areas.
What to visit in Misterbianco
Misterbianco offers tourists numerous attractions to visit. Among the archaeological areas present, the finds from the Neolithic period stand out, as well as the Greek-Roman and Byzantine settlements in the Erbe Bianche district and the remains of the Roman Baths.
Events and traditions
The patron saint of Misterbianco is Sant'Antonio Abate, celebrated on January 17th. The municipality celebrates the patronal festival with a series of events that culminate with the procession of the Saint's float, parading through the streets of the municipality and illuminating the sky with fireworks. In addition, there are numerous cultural and artistic events throughout the year, such as art exhibitions, theater performances and concerts.
Food and wine
You can't visit Misterbianco without tasting the typical dishes of Sicilian cuisine. Among these is the turcineddi a l'u pizzu, a dish made from lamb offal, onion, fresh tomato and Taggiasca olives. As for wines, Misterbianco is famous for its still white wine produced from local grapes.
Conclusion
Misterbianco is a municipality rich in history, art, nature and traditions. With its incredible location at the foot of Mount Etna, it is a sought-after destination for tourists from all over the world. After discovering its ancient history and attractions, all that's left is to visit it and be enchanted by its beauty and hospitality. You won't regret it!
