Mascalucia

Mascalucia (28,643 inhabitants), a large town to the north-east of Catania along the main route up to Etna, lies on hills that form the southern slopes of the volcano, betweeen 420 and 520 m.s.l. The area was inhabited in Roman times as demonstrated by numerous archaeological finds. Ancient sources narrate that in 324 A.D. the Emperor Constantine presented the Holy See with many Sicilian territories including Mascalucia, indicated with the name Massalargia (from the Latin, village – gift). Over the course of the centuries these lands were confiscated from the Papal authorities at different times in order to augment Crown lands.

Finally, in 1645 the ancient lands of Mascalucia with all its quarters were sold to Giovanni Andrea Massa and then later to Placido Branciforte, Prince of Leonforte and Butera. Philip I of Spain awarded the already powerful owner the further noble title of Duke of Mascalucia, which brought with it many privileges and advantages. Unfortunately, the 1669 and 1693 earthquakes crippled the town’s fragile economy.

The old town centre of Mascalucia dates back to the XVIII Century and is centred on via Etnea. The street contains various churches including the church of the patron saint, San Vito with valuable paintings by Michele Rapidardi, Sozzi and Tuccari, the Mother Church dedicated to Maria SS della Consolazione, with paintings by Consoli, Novelli and Rapisardi and the deconsecrated church of San Nicola, now the Public Auditorium. Some noble mansions like Palazzo Rapisardi and Palazzo Cirelli have interesting facades.
In the surrounding streets visitors can find other ancient portals built in black lava stone. Finally, nature lovers will enjoy a visit to the 17 hectares of Monte Ciraulo to see the characteristic flora that forms the typical undergrowth on Etna.

The local cake shops are well-known for the great variety of Sicilian sweets that they make and sell. The pride of the
food and wine industry is undoubtedly ‘Ombra’, a wine produced from grapes grown in the Ombra quarter, which has a distinctive red colour and a high alcohol content.

Courtesy of the Regional Province of Catania.