Mount Etna: The Pillars of Heaven - Typhon's Prison, the 1669 Cataclysm & Volcanic Viticulture
Explore Mount Etna, Europe's highest and most active volcano. Discover the myth of the monster Typhon, the history of the devastating 1669 eruption, and the unique world of Etna Rosso wines born from volcanic soil.
Mount Etna (Mongibello to the locals) is not just a volcano; it is a living, breathing monument to the power of the Earth. Located on the east coast of Sicily, it is the highest active volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world. Rising to approximately 3,357 meters (though this height changes with every major eruption), Etna has been in a state of nearly continuous activity for over 500,000 years. It is a place where ancient Greek mythology meets cutting-edge volcanology, and where the destructive force of lava creates the most fertile soils on the planet.
1. Typhon’s Prison: The Mythology of the Forge
For the ancient Greeks and Romans, Etna was a place of profound supernatural activity. It was not merely a mountain, but a lid placed over the greatest threats to the gods.
The Monster Typhon
According to the most famous legend, the monstrous giant Typhon—the deadliest creature in Greek mythology—was defeated by Zeus and imprisoned beneath Mount Etna. Typhon was said to have a hundred dragon heads and eyes that flashed fire. The eruptions of the volcano were seen as the giant’s attempts to break free from his prison, his fiery breath forming the lava flows and his struggles causing the frequent earthquakes that shake the island of Sicily.
The Forge of Hephaestus
Another tradition held that Etna was the primary workshop of Hephaestus (Vulcan in Roman mythology), the god of fire and blacksmithing. It was believed that deep within the mountain, Hephaestus forged the thunderbolts for Zeus and the armor for the heroes of Olympus. The rhythmic thumping heard during explosive eruptions was interpreted as the sound of the Cyclopes—Hephaestus’ assistants—striking their anvils. To live near Etna was to live at the center of a divine industry.
2. The Great Cataclysm of 1669: When the Mountain Moved South
While Etna erupts frequently, the event of 1669 remains the most significant in its recorded history. It was an eruption that proved that even a city like Catania, miles from the summit, was never truly safe.
The Destruction of the Valleys
The eruption began on March 11, 1669, but it did not occur at the summit. Instead, a massive fissure opened on the southern flank near the town of Nicolosi. A series of craters, now known as the Monti Rossi, formed and began spewing a massive volume of lava. For five weeks, the lava advanced slowly but relentlessly, destroying at least ten villages and encroaching on the fertile farmlands of the Simeto Valley.
The Battle for Catania
The lava eventually reached the massive stone walls of Catania. In one of the earliest recorded attempts at lava diversion, a group of brave citizens led by Diego Pappalardo attempted to break a hole in the side of the lava channel to redirect the flow. While they were temporarily successful, residents of a nearby town (threatened by the new path) forced them to stop. The lava eventually overtopped the 60-foot walls, destroying the western part of the city and filling the Benedictine monastery’s gardens. It reached the sea, extending the coastline by more than a kilometer and filling Catania’s ancient harbor. Remarkably, despite the massive structural damage, there were few direct fatalities, as the lava moved slowly enough for residents to flee.
3. UNESCO Status: A Laboratory for the World
In 2013, Mount Etna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was not just because of its beauty, but because of its unparalleled scientific value.
Continuous Documentation
Etna has the longest documented history of eruptions in the world, dating back at least 2,700 years. Ancient observers like Pindar and Thucydides recorded its behavior, providing modern scientists with a unique long-term dataset. This historical record allows volcanologists to study the evolution of a volcanic system over millennia, making Etna a “natural laboratory” that has influenced the development of the entire field of Earth Sciences.
The Valle del Bove: A Giant Scar
One of the most striking geological features of Mount Etna is the Valle del Bove (Valley of the Ox). This is a massive, horseshoe-shaped depression on the eastern flank of the mountain, measuring roughly 5 by 7 kilometers. Formed thousands of years ago after the collapse of an ancient volcanic summit (the Trifoglietto), it now serves as a giant natural “lava sink.”
Most lava flows from the eastern craters are channeled into this vast, desolate basin, preventing them from reaching the towns further down the slopes. For hikers, the edge of the valley provides a front-row seat to the raw power of the mountain, offering a clear view of the smoking craters and the black rivers of cooling stone that fill the valley floor.
4. Etna Rosso: The Alchemy of Volcanic Soil
While the lava brings destruction, it also brings life. The lower slopes of Mount Etna are home to some of the most sought-after vineyards in the world, producing the legendary Etna Rosso wines.
Volcanic Terroir
The soil on Etna is a complex mix of decomposed lava, ash, and lapilli. This soil is incredibly rich in minerals like iron, phosphorus, and magnesium. Because the volcano has erupted so many times, the soil varies from one vineyard to the next based on the age of the lava flow it sits upon. This creates a “mosaic” of terroirs that wine experts compare to the complexities of Burgundy.
The 2021 Paroxysms: A New Chapter
In 2021, Etna reminded the world of its relentless energy through a series of “paroxysms”—short, extremely violent explosive events. Over the course of several months, the South-East Crater produced over 50 of these events, sending lava fountains over 1,000 meters into the air. These eruptions were so frequent and powerful that they literally reshaped the summit. In August 2021, the South-East Crater was officially declared the highest point on the mountain, having grown by tens of meters in just a few weeks. The ash from these paroxysms fell on Catania and local towns like a black rain, forcing the closure of the city’s Fontanarossa Airport and requiring massive cleanup efforts.
The Pre-Phylloxera Vines
Etna’s sandy, volcanic soil acted as a natural barrier against the phylloxera louse that devastated the vineyards of Europe in the late 19th century. As a result, Etna is home to some of the oldest vines in the world—some over 150 years old—still growing on their original rootstocks. These ancient vines produce low yields of highly concentrated grapes, primarily the indigenous Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, resulting in wines known for their elegance, high acidity, and distinct smoky minerality.
5. Living with a Giant: Modern Monitoring
Sicily’s relationship with Etna is one of “cohabitation.” The mountain provides fertile land and tourism revenue, but it requires constant vigilance.
The INGV Observatory
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) in Catania is one of the world’s premier monitoring centers. They track Etna 24/7 using:
- Seismic Networks: To listen for the movement of magma underground.
- Gas Sensors: To measure the ratio of Sulfur Dioxide to Carbon Dioxide, which can signal an imminent eruption.
- Satellite InSAR: To detect the “inflation” of the mountain as magma reservoirs fill.
- Drones: To map the rapidly changing topography of the summit craters.
Tourism and Access
Etna is one of Sicily’s primary tourist attractions. Visitors can take a cable car (Funivia dell’Etna) and 4x4 buses to the high-altitude zones. However, access is strictly regulated. When the volcano shows increased activity, the “Zones of Caution” are expanded, and summit access is closed to protect visitors from the sudden paroxysms (explosive events) that Etna is famous for.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Mount Etna dangerous to visit?
As long as you follow the guidelines of the local authorities and go with a certified guide, it is very safe. The main danger is ignoring the closures of the summit areas during periods of high activity.
Why is the height of Etna always changing?
Because the volcano is so active, eruptions frequently build up new cones or cause parts of the summit to collapse. For example, the North-East Crater recently became the highest point, overtaking the historical summit after a series of paroxysmic events in 2021.
What does “Etna Rosso” mean?
It is a “Denominazione di Origine Controllata” (DOC) wine. To be called Etna Rosso, the wine must be produced on the slopes of Etna and consist of at least 80% Nerello Mascalese grapes.
Can Etna destroy Catania again?
While modern lava diversion techniques (using earthen dams and explosives) are much more advanced than in 1669, a massive flank eruption could still pose a significant threat to the outer suburbs of Catania. However, the INGV would likely provide weeks of warning for such an event.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Elevation | ~3,357 m (11,014 ft) - Variable |
| Type | Complex Stratovolcano |
| Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site / Decade Volcano |
| Main Grapes | Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante |
| Historic Event | 1669 Flank Eruption |
| Monitoring | INGV (Catania) |
Mount Etna is a reminder that the Earth is not a static object, but a dynamic and ever-changing force. It is a place of myths and minerals, where the fire of the underworld creates the bounty of the table.