In November 1928 a violent eruption by Etna lasting 18 days destroyed Mascali, a small town about 30 minutes from Catania, now rebuilt along the coast of the Ionian Sea.
Several craters at different altitudes, spouted liquid lava into the dark night, terrifying the inhabitants. It was the crater that opened at 1200 m above sea level that led to the destruction of Mascali. Only the town of St. Anthony was spared, saved from fire after the inhabitants held up the statue of the saint in front of the flames.
Today a shrine, situated near the ancient lava, is a reminder of that miracle.
