Settled along a valley on the north-oriental slope of the Etna, Linguaglossa, already note as Linguagrossa, as writing on the town buildings, has a privileged position as a 'bridge' among the Mountain and the Ionian sea. The suburb represents one of the doors of access to the volcano, great benign mother with its snowy mantle between rivers of lava flows.

The origin of the first settlement was up to medieval age in fact we have the "previlegno" of Roger II the Norman dated 1145, in this find "Linguagrossa" is remembered as domain of the Archimandrica Luca of the Diocese in Messina. The place name seems can be explained in relationship to a broad lava flow,or to rough dialect of the inhabitants or as a legend tells , a blacksmith who lived here, nicknamed "Ledger Big Language", which said bad words of native people and customers.

His existence, as suburb, is certainly declared in the XII century and under the Aragonese power, it was granted as feud to the admiral Ruggero of Lauria. It becomes for brief time demanial city and passed in the centuries under the power of different gentlemen as long as in 1634, for wish of Phillip IV of Spain, it was declared free and had the privilege of naming its own administrators.

The XVII century was an age of great building favor, during which the few existing churches were restored and built new ones that, still today, although rehandled in the following centuries, constitute the artistic wealth of the city.

They are characterized from imposing rich portals in lava stone masterly put in by local skilled craftmen. Mother Church, dedicated to Mary of the Graces, the church of St. Francis of Paola is possible to admire the statue of the Madonna of Gagini, Our Lady, the church of the Cappuccinis they are caskets that guard to their inside carved wooden choirs, altars in marbles you mix, a ciborium in wood of cypress, orange tree and walnut-tree and Renaissance frescos.

In the heart of the historical center he can still admire the beauty of a medieval portal adorned by the ancient city coat of arms and today inserted along the external wall of the church of St. Egidio, Saint Patron of the city. It became an urban legend, on the occasion of a miracle done lasting to a devastating lava eruption and saving the town from destruction. The custom, of setting the statue of the saint (or one heirloom of his) in front of lava flows to arrest its course, is typical in the whole district etneo.

The saint protection has always been invoked by the believers, still today it is used to expose the image as stronghold against the lava flows that threatens the country. The Mountain, it is not only a damages giver, constitutes in fact the heart around which turns the agricultural, handicraft and tourist economy of Linguaglossa. From the center of the town you can quickly be reach the ancient "Pineta Ragabo", that furnished the wood for the ship building during the medieval age and today is a splendid green lung characterized by the Pino Larico. You can also easily reach Provenzana Plain, set to 1900 meters on the level of the sea, departure base of the ski runs partially destroyed by the 2002 eruption that burned partly also the marvellous pins forest. The skiing station is also point of departure for the excursions to the craters and to the different caves, as that of the Ice Cave rich in stalactites and stalagmites. Anciently also the snow, rich in the winter, was a source of work; preserved, pushing it, up to the summertime and sold to the cafes in Catania fo the preparation of the famous water-ice.

The zone is rich of ancient millstones in lava, witnesses of a production vitivinicola today became DOC wines. Along the slopes of the volcano are also extended luxuriant hazel groves whose fruit, together with the almond, is at the base of the local confectionery shops.

The landscape beauty and the goodness of the gastronomy make of Linguaglossa a privileged place for the summer and winter vacations.