Monte Serra Pizzuta seen from south, showing the dense vegetation that covers this prehistoric cone, and vineyards extending up the near slope within what may have been a smaller vent (possible effusive) on the south flank of the cone. This view was taken on a rainy day in May 2000, with the typical green of springtime. The highest point on the cone is on the right side of the summit area, forming a sharp peak when seen from some distance

Mamma Etna's countless children
Monte Serra Pizzuta
S flank, 15.018447° E, 37.639728° N
Summit elevation: 1036 m (SE crater rim)

Among the many cones that dot the landscape above the town of Nicolosi, a large, steep cone with a pointed summit is particularly conspicuous. The sharp peak at its summit, on the southeast side of its summit crater, has inspired the name that has been given to it - Monte Serra Pizzuta (not to be confused with another prominent cone higher upslope on the SSE flank, Monte Serra Pizzuta Calvarina). This cone rises more than 120 m above its south base and nearly 100 m above its north base. It is densely covered with forest, and on its south side fruit gardens and vineyards extend half way up the flank. Although topographic maps show a path leading to the summit on the eastern side, this footpath may have existed in the past but is now completely overgrown. Actually this cone is quite difficult to climb, and one has to struggle one's way through bushes and high grass starting at the northeast base; in the spring or summer the near-explosive growth of vegetation will render any climb still more difficult. However, the strenuous climb on Monte Serra Pizzuta is worth the effort, for the summit area provides awesome panoramic views to the south, east and west. The summit crater of the cone is quite small, with a diameter of 120 x 150 m, and its floor lies 40 m below the highest point on the (southeast) crater rim. A shallow elongate depression on the south flank lies below a notch in the summit crater rim and probably marks the position of smaller, probably effusive vents.
Nothing is known about the age of Monte Serra Pizzuta; it is certainly prehistoric. A small lava field probably associated with this cone is shown as modestly youthful on the 1979 geological map of Etna, and most of its original extent lies buried under younger lavas.
After a failed attempt to climb Monte Serra Pizzuta in May 2000 (when vigorous growth of the vegetation had commenced), I returned to this large cone on 13 March 2004 and succeeded in climbing to its summit, and most of the photographs on this page have been taken on that occasion.

Left: the sharp-peaked silhouette of Monte Serra Pizzuta seen from Mompeloso, about 1.7 km to the southeast, on 15 April 2000. The broad, low cone to the left of Monte Serra Pizzuta is Monte S. Nicola Center: Monte Serra Pizzuta seen from south (from a point about 1.4 km distant), with the large main edifice of Etna in the background, 15 April 2000 Right: eastern view of Monte Serra Pizzuta, taken from near Monte Gervasi, about 0.8 km to the east, on 13 March 2004

Left: similar photograph as on top of this page, but during clear weather and before the vegeation growth in the spring. This is a view taken of Monte Serra Pizzuta from the south Center: Monte Serra Pizzuta seen from its northeastern base, from where it is possible to climb this steep and densely vegetated cone Right: panoramic view from the summit area of Monte Serra Pizzuta toward east. The massive cone seen in the distance is Monte Arso, about 1.5 km to the east. Much less conspicuous, but lying a few hundred meters closer to Monte Serra Pizzuta, is Monte Gervasi, a cone that presumably erupted in historical time. Photos taken 13 March 2004

Different views of the crater of Monte Serra Pizzuta, taken on 13 March 2004. Left image is a view from the northeast rim of the crater toward southwest; in the center the high southeast rim of the crater is seen above trees from the southwest crater rim; the right photo shows the crater floor seen from its southern portion and Etna's summit in the background

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