Camporotondo Etneo is a small hill town in the Province of Catania, set at about 450 metres above sea level on the slopes of Mount Etna, close to the Catania plain. Its identity is closely tied to this volcanic setting: a rural landscape of fertile land, vineyards edged by dark lava-stone walls, and a compact historic centre known for its rounded form.
The town’s name reflects that shape, while “Etneo” was added in 1863 to mark its proximity to Etna. Historically, Camporotondo began as one of the small rural *casali* of the Catania area, with its earliest references dating to the 16th century. It later passed through noble ownership, including the Reitano and Natoli families, and remained connected to feudal structures until the 19th century.
Etna also left a decisive mark on its story: the settlement was destroyed by the 1669 eruption and rebuilt afterwards. Today, Camporotondo Etneo stands out as a modest but distinctive Etna town, where circular urban form, volcanic landscape and rural memory give the place a character of its own.
Patron Saint:
St. Anthony the Abbot (Sant’Antonio Abate) – 17 January
Nearest Airport:
Catania (Fontanarossa) – (25 km, 00:29)
Neighboring Cities:
