Maletto

Maletto is situated on the northern slopes of Etna, at about 1000 meters s.l.m. It is the highest town in the province of Catania, in a beautiful natural environment dominated by Etna, the Nebrodi with on background.

The surrounding area was inhabited since Neolithic times, but the origin of Maletto dates back to the 13th century when, in 1263, under the Swabian domination, Manfredi Maletta, Count of Mineo, on a rocky outcrop built a lookout and communications tower, called “Tower of Fano”. Since then, the place was called Maletto. The fortified tower became “Castle” and around it were built the first houses.
The Feudo Maletto Castle, in the first half of the 19th century, went to Spadafora. These, during the 15th century they built the city center, picking up a population that was consolidated in the early seventeenth century. When in Maletto was granted the title of Principality, which favored the influx of new inhabitants driven by different incentives. It became an independent municipality in 1812 with the abolition of feudalism.

The old town of Maletto, with its small and quiet streets paved in lava and the houses of the 17th and 18th century, is dominated by the Fortress of the Castle. Along the streets of the center, among the most significant monuments to visit, there is the Mother Church, which has an impressive façade and a remarkable staircase with pilasters decorated with lava stone.
In addition, the churches of San Michele Arcangelo (16th century) which houses paintings of 1600 and St. Anthony of Padua (18th century) where you can admire two wooden statues of Bagnasco.

Not to be missed: the famous festival of the strawberry, which takes place the first week of June and attracts tourists and curious people from all parts of Sicily and Italy. During the festival, you can taste, for free, strawberry pies and specialties (risotto, granite, etc.) and buy strawberries  from local producers.