Origin and History
The current territory of the Municipality of Santa Venerina in 'Antiquity was characterized largely by a very thick woods and small hills and plains inhabited by the Sicilians. 'S arrival of the first settlers in Schisò Chalcis in 734 BC did not produce an immediate confrontation with the indigenous population because the Greeks, who settled in coastal areas, much later entered the exchange relationship with the Sicilian hinterland to stock up on food and timber. The element greek, over time, however, manage to prevail over the natives also increased the number of those who traveled the countryside Etna as life in coastal areas had become dangerous. In 221 BC, the Roman victory over the Carthaginians, the Sicily was under Roman rule, the discovery of some coins 'gold and' silver found in some tombs excavated in the territory of Linera testifies that the land was already inhabited at the time of Roman Republic, and at this time were beginning to assert the cultivation of hemp and flax (hence the name Linera). Must arrive in Sicily from the Byzantine era (535 to 827 AD) to find the most significant traces of settlements. In this period was in fact the church of Santo Stefano, a cell trichora whose ruins are located in the hamlet of King's Dagala To it was attached to a monastery that housed a community of Byzantine monks. After the period of Arab rule (827 - 1060), with the advent of the Normans (1060 - 1194) and the Christian reconquest, arrived at the Benedictine monks of St. Stephen (later removed from the lava flow of 1284), by virtue of qualifications of 1091 and 1092 with which the grand Count Ruggero Angerio granted to the bishop, abbot of the Benedictine monastery, the whole area of Aci. The fourteenth century remain testimonies of Brother Michael's Square, which tells of Duke John, brother of Peter of Aragon, escaped from the plague take refuge in the woods near the church of S. Saviour in Blanchardu, while for the fifteenth century, Simone Leontino refers to a stop in these places of Alfonso the Magnanimous "to the hunting of them dajni" it was customary that the Aragonese royal family first stayed in the woods of the area for hunting parties, during their transfer to Messina along the royal road passing by the area of Santa Venerina. In the district of Palazzelle Dagala there is still a precious icon of the Madonna image embossed on the marble, which is handed out to the kings and skiing in Dagala and stood with their retinues. In later centuries the inhabitants of Aci had to submit to a succession of feudal times so arrogant as to push the people to desire to be part of the royal demesne: The formal request was sent directly to the Emperor Charles V, who in 1531 brought back to the royal demesne all the territory that stretched from Acicastello Pozzillo and up to countries that included foothills of Etna Aci Sant'Antonio Aci San Filippo, Pisano, and Mangano Linera. Even for the next two centuries the history of the territory of today's Santa Venerina is one with that of the manor of Acireale. Only in 1735 when the deputies of the chapel of Santa Venera Acireale, forced to find new revenues to meet its commitments for the construction of the Santa Venera fercolo, established a fair Bongiardo away in the district, along the royal road to Messina brought in Catania. The investment in that country had evidently manifest itself in the years since convenient to follow the same deputies and middle-class citizens and many of Aci purchased land in those areas away from the fair energizing, initiating the process of population. Shortly after, in 1747, the same deputies estimated necessary to build a church that was once dedicated to Santa Venera. The new church formed the nucleus around which grew a real village with over 600 residents, dedicated to agriculture and livestock, which dall'agro acese coming in that first church had confirmed their original condition at Santa Venera , then as now, the patron saint of Acireale. There is no doubt that the name derives from Santa Venera Santa Venerina and this in turn by the Venerable, who was born in the first 2 years of the century by Agathon and Polito and that was one of the first martyrs of Christianity. The history of the country is also linked to that of the County of Mascali. The slope of the North-East was part of the territory and there, in the district now called "Rondinella", was one of the towers located in the County Presidial testify as maps and other historical documents.
The Churches
THE CHURCH OF SANTA VENERA
Arriving in Santa Venerina, the church of Santa Venera is the first building around which then develops the whole agglomeration of the country. The church was built on a plot by the French deputation. Opened for worship in 1749, was originally a farm building consists of a nave, a tower and a room for the chaplain. The painter was instructed to decorate it with acese Wide murals. Around 1754 the church was expanded with the construction of four side chapels with their altars. Later in 1772 it was elevated to the rank of filial parish church of the same name Acireale. Damaged by the earthquake of 1879, was rebuilt, enlarged and equipped with a new bell tower. In 1921 it became autonomous. Continually damaged by several earthquakes, its bell tower in 1962 was demolished and rebuilt soon after, with a bell tower in concrete which greatly disfigured the classic style of the church. Valuable and interesting are the frescoes inside, San Giuseppe Paolo Vasta, together with a group of eighteenth-century paintings depicting the Holy Family, Immaculate Conception and Sant 'Antonio. The "Holy Family", recently restored, restored to its former glory is the work of the painter Pietro Paolo Vasta Acireale, the painting of the Immaculate Conception is instead attributed to Alexander the Great, son of Paul, as well as the painting of St. Antonio. Inside the Vaccaro also works including Our Lady of the Rosary and the Grotto of Lourdes countryman Mariano Wide. 13/08/1936 The birth of the City of Santa Venerina, the church became recognized as a church and Arcipretura patron. It celebrates the patron saint, Santa Venera Santa Venerina, the first Sunday in August, and St. Sebastian patron of the town, the last Sunday of January. As to the origin of the girl Venera, not much is known. The popular tradition recognizes, in Santa Venera al Pozzo from Acireale, the place where the martyrdom took the young lady Venera. So the journalist describes the young Venera Mannoia Gaspar: "Even when the Terma acese was abandoned, it is said that here to make a young man who took care of the sick who took turns bathing in the treatment of various diseases. You called Venera and suffered persecution and martyrdom in this lush valle.I own executioners, for better or scarring to the body of the young man who looked after the sick, took the waters of the source tarnished with the blood of the victim, throwing, in the ravines where the water flowed The poor severed head ".
THE CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
On May 10, 1875, with the blessing of the Pope, began the construction of the church of the Sacred Heart, strongly desired by the citizens of the district which bears his name, as a sign of identity and faith. In fact, they worked in perfect harmony to make this their project. Transported the rocks from the nearby stream and put together a large sum to put on a three-aisled, then decorated with paintings of Panciroli, skilled Roman painter, whose works can still admire the frescoes in the Vatican where the Sala Ducale, in Capitol Hill where he frescoed the council chamber, and then to Leghorn, in Foligno, Acireale and Egypt. All the inhabitants of the area worked voluntarily and freely for the building, animated by true religious zeal. 
The church has three naves, has a majestic facade and well weighted, with a beautiful dome designed by the architect. John Privitera. It appears in classical style with statues inspired by Greek models romani.Nelle and clean lines draws on the late neo-classical models, with a solid foundation in lava rock, it can be seen on the frieze of the great portal, supported by two columns, a pierced heart and a crown of thorns. Panciroli painted the lunettes over the interior of the dome, representing Faith, Hope, Charity and Justice, including the Ascension of Christ and the triumph of the Cross. Other works by the artist behind the choir: the multiplication of the loaves and the Last Supper. In the vault of the chapel is also the Eucharist. Other works can be found on the sides of Panciroli: Angels with the cup, Jesus among the children, St. Thomas with Christ, the Adoration of the Lamb and the exaltation of lino.Vi important paintings are also important, including the framework of Holy Souls in Purgatory and a copy of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted, the work of the late Salvatore Messina countryman, the picture of S. Michael the Archangel by an unknown author. Finally, remember the two works of sculptor Mariano Great Santa Venerina: the altar of Our Lady of Lourdes and the pulpit of stone Comiso, where are represented the symbols of the four evangelists, the angel S. Matthew, the lion S. Mark, the eagle S. John, the torus S. Luke. A special mention deserve the six bells of the Church, the largest three were bought by the faithful with their offers and go back to the late 1800's, the two clock was donated by Pope Pius IX, while the last, the smallest, was donated by the Marquis Gravina who took the church of S. Michele (private church, of which today no trace remains). It venerates the Madonna of Divine Grace on the first Sunday of July.
Santa Venerina, enchanting hills
To the west the majestic Mount Etna, the Ionian Sea to the east, at noon when they saw the legendary lands capture the love of Acis and Galatea, with the Greek and the Peloritani beautiful Taormina to the north, make up the charming scene in which, lying in a gentle slope, stands Santa Venerina. Its origins date back to the Byzantine period, as evidenced by the ruins of St. Stephen of Cuba VII - IX century AD
A rural agglomeration authentic culture of wine has shaped the landscape. Quiet is the beauty of its countryside: picturesque terraces enclosed by dry stone walls with volcanic stone welcome the vineyards, resulting in geometriepunteggiate green here and there from the pink and ocher of the ancient manor houses or the black lava of the farmhouses.
A gazebo in the vineyards in the campaign blends the urban space: the most elegant chimneys do not smoke, and the solid gray and reddish towers tell us when this country was known around the world for the distillation of wine and grapes as well as apples, figs , cereals, carob and dates and for the production of liqueurs. The old houses laborers, the "palazzeddi" with Carretteria or the workshop of master craftsmen, the ancient palaces of the lords, the nine beautiful churches with their treasures, the individual artifacts as "the dome", the facade of the chapel the "Tenutella" and the countless shrines located in every corner of the country, its traditions more intimate the result of generosity, tenacity, creativity and dell'operosità of many generations are the main attractions of Santa Venerina.
This manor house Leonardi genuine wealth of tradition marks the current local production: the feeling in the ancient flavors of the renowned culinary and confectionery production, the craftsmanship found in the precious wood, iron and ceramic, the taste in spirits and liqueurs; the 'I appreciate in the lovely and rich wines, from traditional doc table than to innovative, that take character, authenticity and value to the favorable climatic and soil conditions of the volcano.
Just Fichera Mansion to celebrate the wines and the typical location each year in Santa Venerina "the EnoEtna" shows the market for wines and Sicilian Etna - City of Santa Venerina Wine Competition Award "oru-pipe" - shows the market typical food products and local handicrafts. To get to Santa Venerina must exit at the Catania-Messina Giarre.