Piedimonte Etneo
Welcome to Piedimonte Etneo
Piedimonte Etneo is a municipality in the metropolitan city of Catania, in Sicily, with a population of around 3,861 inhabitants. This small town is located just 35 km from the city of Catania and 49 km from Messina. Piedimonte Etneo is situated on the northeast slope of Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, and covers an area of approximately 2,646 hectares.
Physical geography
Much of the territory of the municipality is included within the Etna Park, and extends between altitudes of 130 and 2,874 m. The landscape is characterized by the coexistence of two distinct territories: one typically volcanic, with lava flows dating from both recent and ancient times, and the other sedimentary, crossed by torrential incisions. The hilly area from 300 to 1,000 m is cultivated, while towards the lower band there are plants such as terebinth, ferula, eagle fern, castor oil plant, and blackberry. Starting from 450 meters, there are vineyards and citrus crops such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, and clementines.
Flora
Despite its large range in altitude, the development of natural areas is limited compared to those that are inhabited. Additionally, much of the territory is cultivated, aside from specific areas where there are native trees and plants. Within the lower band, which includes the border with Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, there is an evergreen known as "scornabeccu" along with blackberry, ferula, eagle fern, and castor oil plant, which characterize these places. Instead, between 800 and 1000 m there are chestnut and oak forests, pastureland, and wooded areas where there were once abandoned vineyards and crops. Up still further, at around 1700 meters, there are specimens of pine and Betula aetnensis. In the areas of lava flow, one can admire soapwort, milkvetch, and broom.
The vineyards of Piedimonte Etneo
The cultivated areas in the territory of Piedimonte Etneo are predominantly those with natural vegetation, but also extend to its eastern extreme borders up to Mount Stornello, reaching a maximum altitude of 1150 m. In the southernmost band, where the municipality borders with Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, and clementines are grown on terraced land. Olive trees are also cultivated in these areas. Moving up to an altitude of 450 m, one can find vineyards. Piedimonte Etneo is part of the wine production area for Etna D.O.C. wines, whose high-quality Nerello Mascalese grape variety produces an excellent Etna red wine D.O.C. This type of vine is mainly cultivated using the traditional "alberello" method. Other cultivated grape varieties include Carricante and Nerello Cappuccio.
In conclusion, Piedimonte Etneo is a town in Sicily that should be visited if one wants to admire the natural beauty of Mount Etna, taste the delicious Etna D.O.C. wines and local agriculture. This town with about 3,861 inhabitants will welcome every visitor with its uniqueness and boundless beauty.
