Etna, Idda (She), Mungibeddu (Mongibello), ‘a Muntagna — these are some of the names used for Europe’s largest, widest, and tallest volcano, located in the plain of Catania. It is often referred to in the feminine form, as if it were a mother — one that occasionally grumbles but rarely causes harm.

Visible from great distances, it is the highest active volcano not only in Europe but on the entire Eurasian plate, standing at 3,403 meters (11,161 feet) above sea level. At its base, it spans over 40 kilometers in diameter (25 miles) with a perimeter of about 135 kilometers (84 miles). Given its geological and cultural importance, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.