MALETTO
Set
at 960m height, Maletto is the highest city in the Etna district.
It has a population of nearly 5,000 inhabitants. It was founded
in 1263 by Manfredi Maletto, the Count of Mineo, grown around a
fortified tower. Afterwards, it was ruled by the Spadafora family.
The mentioned tower, perched on a cliff dominating the town, is
one of its best attractions.
Other
buildings deserve a mention, namely the 1500’s Church of San
Michele Arcangelo, next to Palazzo Baronale Spadafora, the 1700’s
church of Sant’Antonio da Padova, the patron saint, the little
church of San Giuseppe and the church dedicated to the Madonna del
Carmelo, the latter two dating from the 17th century.
The
city also has sites of archaeological interest, consisting of some
megalithic structures in the Tortorici area and tombs in the Rocca
Calanna area. The city of Maletto is included in the Etna Park,
hence richly endowed with naturalistic sites, such as the Monte
la Nave, the Grotta del Gelo, where is a glacier, and the Grotta
del Diavolo.
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