ITALY ~ Mount Etna - Catania - Sicily - UNESCO ~

... Wonderful aerial view of the Gulf of Catania with the spectacular Mount Etna in the background... the highest volcano in Europe, and one of most active of the world dominating the east coast of Sicily... Mt. Etna is an active and constantly changing volcano... a mystery of nature that fascinates everyone with its explosions, the high lava fountains and  earthquakes... and has always aroused the interest of scientists along with the curiosity of visitors from all over the world...  the most requested activity is no doubt the excursion to the craters, to be done safely with the help of expert guides and with appropriate clothing... with great matching "Etna National Park" stamp👍... the first and largest national park in Sicily, dedicated to maintaining safe access to the towering volcano and offering a rich natural environment... Thanks a lot Beate! (✿◠‿◠)

Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily sliding into the Mediterranean Sea, close to Catania, the second largest city in Sicily. 

Mount Etna is about 3,350 meters high and covers an area of 1,190 km2  with a basal circumference of about 150 km. Various volcanic phenomena such as craters, lava caves, lava flows and cinder cones are clearly visible. Etna has been an active volcano for more than 2.5 million years. 

The name comes from the Greek Aitne, from aithō, "I burn".

 Mount Etna was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. 

Stamp: 

Natural and Landscape Heritage 

(Issued 23-05-2014)

ITALY ~Sicily~

...Finally after more than a week without mail I received a lovely special shaped card with great views of the island Sicily today... I really missed not getting postcards on a regulary base... I think it must be the volcanic eruption of the Eyjafjallajokul (tough name by the way!:-)) that delayed all the mail...
I have also a lot postcards still travelling...

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and an autonomous region of Italy. Views of:
1. Syracuse
2.Cefalù
3.Erice
4.Mount Etna
5.Messina
6.Agrigento