Rocca Calanna in Bronte
Rocca Calanna in Bronte, also known as Roccazzo di Canalaci, is a large sandstone cliff located in the Brancatello district, in a lush valley with centuries-old woods interrupted by ancient and recent lava flows, characterized by the presence of ancient volcanic cones and by one of the most beautiful views of the Etna volcano.
The place, in addition to the scenic and natural beauty, is of archaeological interest. In the Rocca Calanna there are in fact two artificial cave excavations dug into the sandstone, called "i gruttitti", used for funerary purposes. These funerary cells have a totally different typology from the cave tombs known in the Bronze and Iron Ages because they appear as niches with an opening and a rectangular plan while the other types existing in that period mostly have a small access corridor. and a subcircular cell with a vault. The curious typology found in various sandstone outcrops between the upper Simeto valley and the middle Alcantara valley is currently being studied and it has been hypothesized that it may actually date back to the Byzantine era.
The legend of Queen Elizabeth's slipper is linked to the fortress.
