The largest eruption of Etna occurred in 1669

The largest eruption of Etna in historical times was that of 1669, which saw the opening of a vent near Nicolosi, just 800 meters above sea level, with a Strombolian activity that produced the cones of Monti Rossi. The eruptive activity began on 11 March and the lava flow reached the city of Catania on April 16 and destroyed a large part of the town before flowing into the sea.