Passopisciaro: Winegrowing, Lava Stone and Local History

Passopisciaro lies on the northern side of Mount Etna in an area with a winegrowing tradition dating back thousands of years. Passopisciaro combines this long history with sacred buildings, monuments and local customs.

Winegrowing and Regional Development

The revival of winegrowing and the rediscovery of the northern Etna region have given the area new impetus. The winegrowing tradition is closely linked to the development of wine tourism. This development includes accommodation providers; journalists, industry representatives and wine lovers take part in this wine tourism. For those interested in culture, the points of connection therefore range from the winegrowing tradition to church art and lava stone, as well as festivals and historic buildings.

Neoclassical Parish Church and Sacred Sites

The parish church of Passopisciaro was completed in 1897 after two years of construction. Its neoclassical design includes Ionic and Corinthian columns as well as a central pediment. It also features sandstone rosettes depicting the four Evangelists and an almost completely symmetrical structure. The church also contains a plaster image of Maria SS del Rosario. The sandstone rosettes depict the four Evangelists.

A few metres outside Passopisciaro, in the Contrada Santo Spirito, stands the small Chiesetta du protu. It is dated approximately to the 15th or 16th century. Its characteristic features include its small turret and inset columns. It predates the construction of the parish church, but its period of origin remains uncertain because the dating is approximate.

Lava Stone and Local History

La Colonna is made entirely of lava stone and is an old road marker at an important junction in the Sicilian road network. Together with the parish church, it is regarded as one of Passopisciaro’s most representative monuments. A bronze bust of Ettore Majorana stands in Ettore Majorana Square in the centre of Passopisciaro; it was created in 1986 by the artist Carlos D'Agostino. The materials differ: La Colonna is made of lava stone, while the bust created in 1986 is made of bronze.

The Casa Cantoniera is also connected with the history of the town centre. It is considered the oldest building in the centre of Passopisciaro. The road workers Antonino Palano and Rosario Mascali are said to have lived there between 1870 and 1880. The period from 1870 to 1880 forms part of the history of the house in Passopisciaro.

Festivals and Local Life

The festival in honour of Maria SS del Rosario originated as a festival of thanksgiving for surviving the lava flows of 1923 and 1947. Natale passopisciarese is a long-standing local Christmas tradition. One festival is linked to the lava flows, while the other is linked to the town’s Christmas custom.

The Aiuola della Legalità in the hamlet of Passopisciaro is equipped with play equipment, benches and green spaces.

Travelling by Train

Moio - Passopisciaro FCE is connected as an arrival or departure station through combined journeys with Trenitalia and the Ferrovia Circumetnea.

More Destinations for Trip Planning

If you would like to compare Passopisciaro with other places, you will find the nearest destinations here: Nicolosi, Licodia Eubea, Misterbianco, Tremestieri Etneo, Aci Trezza, Caltagirone, Monterosso, Mirabella Imbaccari.

For the overarching travel overview: Catania.