Randazzo is a town situated at the northern foot of Mount Etna. It is one of the points from which you can go to the volcano, and it also has many interesting monuments and nice views to offer.
The oldest part of Randazzo is built of dark volcanic rocks. For this reason, it is often called the "black city". In the past, it was a commercial and agricultural center, and it went down in history primarily during World War II, when heavy fights between Germany and the advancing Allies took place here.
A lot of historic buildings have been preserved in the city center. The most important building is the thirteenth-century basilica of St. Mary with a beautiful sculptural decoration. There are also many historic tenement houses and churches from different eras in the old town. There are also ruins of a Swabian castle built in the Middle Ages.
In addition to the monuments, the Randazzo's surroundings are one of the attractions. The deep Alcantara river canyon is used as a swimming pool and beach in summer. However, when it rains, it turns into a death trap, filling up very quickly with water. From the village, you can also go hiking to the former lava fields. On the slopes of Mount Etna above Randazzo there is an Ice Cave open to the public. From here, you can also start the hike to the top of the volcano, using the numerous tourist shelters. The hike from Randazzo requires you to traverse the mountain to get to the trail leading to the top.
