Ragalna – Nature, Culture and Trails on Mount Etna

Ragalna combines a distinctive religious building, squares with historical significance, unusual landscapes and culinary traditions. The Chiesa Madre di Maria SS. del Carmelo is located on Piazza Cisterna and is the town’s most important religious building. This means that exploration begins not only in nature, but also in the town itself.

Hiking through the Mount Etna landscape

The Sentiero 785 connects the built-up area of Ragalna with the Mount Etna hiking network created by Parco dell’Etna. The trail reaches the Pista Altomontana dell’Etna, the main trail in this network, from which hikers can continue exploring the mountain area. The Sentiero Monte Nero degli Zappini offers a shorter circular route: the trail is approximately 4 kilometres long and runs within a state-owned forest area.

Lava fields, forests and unique ecosystems

On the Sentiero Monte Nero degli Zappini, the route passes through old and more recent lava fields and skirts an adventive volcanic cone. The trail in Parco dell’Etna near Ragalna also showcases the area’s geological and plant diversity: it leads through old and more recent lava fields, past lava-flow caves and hornitos, as well as through natural and planted forest formations.

The Nuova Gussonea Botanical Garden represents the ecosystems typical of Mount Etna, including the unique ecosystems of the high-altitude areas. Visitors can observe plant communities there that do not occur along the trail. Piano Vetore also serves as a starting point for various hikes, from which different areas of Mount Etna can be explored.

Churches, squares and local history

The cistern, an old water reservoir used to collect rainwater, stands on Piazza Cisterna next to the Chiesa Madre. In Contrada Monte Marzo, the votive chapel of Santa Barbara has a bas-relief commissioned by Pietro Scuderi and a cross; both works were created by the sculptor Barbaro Messina.

The architecture of the Chiesa Madonna delle Nevi recalls the structural elements of a typical Tyrolean mountain hut. Large wooden roof surfaces, a canopy and a striking art-glass window define its stylistic appeal.

Sightseeing and excursion destinations

At the M.G. Fracastoro site in Contrada Serra la Nave on Mount Etna, guided visits are offered by prior reservation. These include a visit to a telescope and the observation of one or more astronomical objects. Also located in Contrada Serra la Nave is the EtnAvventura Serra la Nave adventure park in Ragalna, on the Nicolosi–Rifugio Sapienza side at the foot of Mount Etna.

Flavours and festivals

Traditional dishes from Ragalna include Salsiccia with Caliceddi, a wild-growing vegetable. Etna wine and chestnuts are among the culinary traditions associated with Ragalna. At the Enoteca dell’Etna, the bookable “Iemu Spizzicannu” tasting offers an introduction to Ragalna’s traditions and provides information about the Arena family and the Palmento Arena complex.

The patronal festival of Madonna del Carmelo in Ragalna is celebrated on the last Sunday and Monday in September. It includes processions and a final firework display on Monday evening.

Other places for planning your trip: Militello In Val Di Catania, San Giovanni La Punta, Pozzillo, Piedimonte Etneo, Santa Venera-portosalvo, San Giorgio, Zafferana Etnea, Caltagirone

To the overview of destinations: Catania.