"Under the volcano" Randazzo by Sjalen

Randazzo Travel Guide: 6 reviews and 13 photos

Randazzo and nearby Linguaglossa is where you find the roads up Etna's northern side. The area is spectacular, with the ever looming snow capped peak of Etna always near. Not since my visit to Ireland have I seen anything as green as the slopes of Etna in May, which you can see from this picture. The mineral rich volcanic soil makes the area fertile as few others and the fruit orchards and vineyards here are always successful, making it worth the danger of living in the shadow of Europe's biggest active volcano. You do see traces of former eruptions everywhere. In fact, approaching Randazzo itself from the coast, you will see electrical poles lying zig zag across huge fields of black lava and there is even a house where one half is completely covered in lava and the other half has survived. Such is travels here. Even the outer fringes of these slopes are full of old craters overgrown with grass, such as the Moio Alcantara with its village. A truly fascinating part of Europe where you can visit a vineyard for lunch and then trample around the sulphuric grounds of the higher Etna in the afternoon.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The beauty of Etna
Cons:You daren't invest in property...
In a nutshell:Explains why people want to live by a volcano

Last visit to Randazzo: May 2004
Intro Updated Jun 7, 2004
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Reviews (5)

Circumetnea railway Transportation (1)

Circumetnea is a private line with separate ticket system to the ordinary network but it is very special. It is a line... more travel advice

Vineyard on Etna Restaurants (1)

On the slopes of Etna lies this vineyard which is doing so well with the tourism in the area and one wine being blessed... more travel advice

Sunday market Local Customs (1)

The Sunday market is one of the biggest markets in the area and quite fun to walk around just to watch people. You can... more travel advice

Randazzo Cathedral Things to Do (2)

As many buildings both here and in Catania, the cathedral is built by lava stone but funnily enough has a more baroque... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Jun 8, 2004

4 photos

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Comments (2)

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craic May 22, 2007 at 7:31 PM

fascinating little place
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lichinga Jul 27, 2004 at 5:32 AM

Nice page, Randazzo is a lovely place!