Let's start the week with belated congratulations to Mount Etna, which on 21st June was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, becoming the 49th Italian site listed. There are 981 sites listed altogether and of these 759 are cultural, 193 are natural and 29 are of mixed properties. Sicily now has six sites in the list and these are:
The Archaeological Area of Agrigento
The Val di Noto cities
Siracusa
The Necropoli rupestri [Rocky Necropolis] of Pantalica
The Aeolian Islands
Etna
Part of the Italian Delegation's submission reads, "
"Mount Etna has erupted many times in human history; its intense and persistent volcanic activity is at the base of myths, legends and naturalistic observation since classic times. Consequently Mount Etna has been known, studied and visited by innumerable scientists and tourists from all around the world."
It goes on to say,
"Mount Etna has been, and still is, a major centre for international research with a long history of influence on volcanology, geology and geomorphology."
You can read the full justification here but anyone who has seen Sicily's most famous smoky lady will need no convincing!
7 comments:
Yes, I would look at it with amazement. Sometimes clouds would block the view, but most days I could see it smoking. We took a guided tour once and went as far as we could in four wheel vehicles. Then we all got out and started climbing. We were totally unprepared for the weather that day. It was early summer, but up on Mt. Etna there was an ice storm. I was 7 months pregnant and slipping and sliding. Finally, one of the guides brought me back down to the vehicle. My husband kept going and they all got to put their hands over the top and feel the warmth. He said if I had gone on for five more minutes I would have made it, but I had too much to lose and don't regret my decision. I always hoped some day I'd get back, but it never happened. Congratulations Mt. Etna!
Well, there you go! A few eruptions don't hurt anyone. We, too, could go down in history, perhaps. I know I erupt often! ;)
I'm surprised it wasn't before!
How about Syracuse?
Hi, Betty. Yes, I'm sure you made the right decision. Thanks for sharing that memory. Hi, Lee. Me too! Hi, Liz. Yes, it is surprising. Hi, WW. Siracusa is in the list.
After reading the history of Sicily and Etna's destruction in the 1693 I'm amazed there is still a huge population lying in wait...terrifying actually.
Hi, Pink. Sicilians are very philosophical about the possibilities!
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