The Chestnut Tree of Mount Etna

Abstract

THE traveller in Sicily will recollect the little village of Giarre, about half way between Messina and Catania; and since the opening of the railway between these cities, with a station at no great distance from its principal street. On the sea-side below the town is the shipping port of Riposto, and between Riposto and Giarre lies a fertile plain, rich in olive and vine-yards. Giarre itself has not much to boast of, except perhaps it might do so of the glorious views to be seen from the slight elevation on which it stands. One long principal street, a large plain chapel, a very second-rate inn, and then there is nothing more to be said of the village. It is, however, the nearest town with an inn to the famous giant chestnut tree of Mount Etna, and as such is visited by tourists. This fine old tree grows in the Bosco or woody region close above the town and on the slope of Mount Etna. A narrow, steep road, gradually ascending, leads from Giarre to/La Macchia, the broad bed of a river now (in the end of May) rolling down nought but clouds of dust, is passed, and the lava beds formed by the eruptions of 1689 and 1735 are traversed, and at last S. Alfio is reached. This village is about four and a half miles from Giarre, and from it a very fine view of Etna is obtained. The mountain, however, from this side looks low and by no means as imposing as when seen from the sea. A little beyond S. Alfio the road turns to the left still leading upwards; until all of a sudden the giant tree breaks upon the view, the road itself running through its very midst. It stands about 4,000 feet above the sea level, and it requires a good three and a half hours to walk to it from Giarre.