Etna is part of the landscape and nature of Sicily. Sciascia called it "a huge house cat that purr quietly and occasionally wakes up." For walkers and nature lovers, Etna offers surprises that the snow combines fire and vegetation. The largest volcano in Europe and born only a couple of million years ago. lava flows, once past several years by the eruptions which forced downstream, become a very fertile ground. Beneath the thousand meters are cultivated almond trees, olive trees, grapevines, citrus and vegetables