BELPASSO
The
city of Belpasso, in the province of Catania, has been rebuilt on
several occasions, mostly due to volcano Etna’s repeated eruptions.
At one time its name was Malpasso. Its current name originates from
the last reconstruction following 1693’s earthquake, the centre
of the town established in the area of San Nicola, laid out on an
orthogonal grid.
Agriculture
is the main economic resource of the city; olive, almond and grapes
are the major outputs of the farms in the area.
The
city offers sites of both artistical and historical interest, such
as the Mother Church, dedicated to the Virgin, preserving paintings
of the 16th century. The Virgin is celebrated by longed-for events
taking place annually on December 12-13, by a procession of allegorical
floats through the city streets.
The
church of S. Antonio da Padova, too, is decorated with interesting
frescoes, notably in the vault. Other buildings deserve a mention,
such as the 1700’s Palazzo dei Baroni Bufali di Santa Lucia,
externally characterized by baroque masks, the City Theatre, dedicated
to Nino Martoglio the beautifully restored 1700’s Palazzo
Scrofani, with a splendid wrought-iron balcony, the imposing Palazzo
Lombardi-Spina and the native homes of Nino Martoglio and Antonio
Russo Giusti.
The
area’s Naturalistic sites are as much interesting. Among these
are the lava flow trail, from Etna’s last eruption in 1669,
and the “Salinelle di San Biagio”, where gas emissions,
over the years, have created small mud craters of diverse shape
and size. Finally, perhaps the most interesting of all, is the Parco
Zoo di Sicilia, at the foot of the Etna, home to many diverse animal
communities coming from all around the world. Also worth-mentioning
are the many grottos and tubes of the volcano, among which are the
well-known Grotta delle Colombe – renowned for its stalactites
– and the Grotta Campana. It is advisable to visit the park
with a guide. The territory of Belpasso is included in the Etna
National Park.
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