What is named Monte Spagnolo actually consists of two large cones, the more westerly of which (at left) is Monte Spagnolo proper, while the slightly smaller cone immediately to the east (right) has no official name. These remarkable twin cones rise on the side of Etna facing the town of Randazzo, and besides Monte Maletto are the only sizeable flank cones on the northwestern side of the volcano. This view, taken in mid-August 2001, is from the southwest; the poorly vegetated lava flow in the foreground was erupted probably in early Medieval time, around A.D. 950

Mamma Etna's countless children
Monte S. Maria
N flank, 14.993999° E, 37.825399° N
Summit elevation: 1639 m (W crater rim)

The north flank of Etna has much less flank cones than most other areas of the volcano. One of the few cones on the north flank is tiny Monte S. Maria, a prehistoric cone rising only about 25 m above its southern base and 50 m above its eastern and western base. The cone carries dense forest but its crater floor is covered with grass, probably due to many animals herding in the place. The crater has a maximum diameter of about 150 m and its rim is lowest on the northern side, presumably because during the eruption that formed this cone several vents were active along a north-south oriented fissure cutting through the crater. This fissure is evident also from the presence of several smaller vents lying to the south, one of which is surrounded by a low pyroclastic cone. On the north flank of Monte S. Maria, a well-developed but densely forested lava flow-channel is visible when the sun is standing low and casts long shadows.
Monte S. Maria is well known to hikers making the spectacular round trip on the Forest Service road because a simple though nice mountain hut lies immediately to the south of the cone. From there it is only a five-minutes walk to get to the summit of the cone and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding areas, especially the broad valley of the Alcantara river to the north.
I first visited Monte S. Maria in mid-August 2001, when all photographs on this page (except for that at the top of the page) were taken. During the following years I returned about once or twice per year.

Left: main crater of Monte S. Maria seen from south rim toward north in mid-August 2001. Note wide notch in far (north) rim of the crater, indicating the presence of several vents aligned along a fissure within the crater Center: panoramic view from the east rim of the crater of Monte S. Maria toward the Northeast Rift of Etna (the prehistoric cone of Monte Timparossa and the much younger Monte Nero are seen at left skyline) and a portion of the extensive 1614-1624 lava field, which nearly 400 years after its emplacement still is almost totally devoid of vegetation. Photo taken in mid-August 2001 Right: forested areas alternating with young lava flows (mostly of the 1614-1624 eruption) are seen when looking from Monte S. Maria to the south. Steam is rising from the summit area at upper right. In the center of the image lies the mountain hut of Monte S. Maria

Left: a closer look in the direction of the summit of Etna, marked by the steaming cone of the Northeast Crater, and the Monte S. Maria mountain hut (lower left foreground), which lies in an area of dense forest. Photo taken mid-August 2001 Center: sitting on a low hill made up of prehistoric lavas, the Monte S. Maria mountain hut marks the first stop during the three-day hike on the Forest Service road from the Piano Provenzana area on the northeast flank of Etna to the Rifugio Sapienza area on the south flank. This mountain hut is very simple and in contrast with the Monte Scavo hut has no cistern, so hikers have to carry sufficient water to allow for cooking and drinking when staying in this hut Right: early morning view (in mid-August 2001) of the Monte S. Maria mountain hut, after spending a night there with a French excursion group

On clear days, the view from the summit of Monte S. Maria toward the Alcantara valley and the Nebrodi and Peloritani mountains to the north is simply stunning. Down in the valley, on the far side of the Alcantara river and at the base of the Nebrodi mountains lies the remote cone of Monte Moio (right; with villages lying before and behind the cone). Photograph taken one late afternoon in mid-August 2001

Continue to Monte Moio

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Copyright © Boris Behncke, "Italy's Volcanoes: The Cradle of Volcanology"