Viagrande, a small town with a great heritage

Viagrande is located in the province of Catania, a municipality in the Etna park. On an area of 10 square kilometers it has about 8100 inhabitants. It is 14 km from Catania and is 410 meters above the sea level. Its territory consists of hills with ancient lava flows and numerous volcanic cones due to eruptive phenomena such as that of Monte Serra which today has become a beautiful park. This mountain has a horseshoe shape due to the collapse of the top part of the crater and a flank of the volcanic cone caused by the emptying of the emission duct after the eruption. Over the years, the atmospheric phenomena have given it a more harmonious aspect. It is possible to reach the summit of Monte Serra via a stairway of about 350 steps in lava stone. At the top you can admire a wonderful panorama, we would see Etna, Taormina and even Calabria. Viagrande takes its name from the ancient road that leads to Messina. The Mother Church of Viagrande appears to have already existed since 1574 and then underwent expansion works, which were completed in 1687. Six years later, however, a violent earthquake destroyed it and it was rebuilt in Piazza San Mauro. The church preserves the relics of San Mauro Abate, patron saint of Viagrande whose feast is celebrated on January 15th.