Chestnut Tree of One Hundred Horses
The Hundred Horses Chestnut is an ancient tree with three massive limbs spreading from the main trunk to form a broad canopy overhead. The tree displays multiple thick stems growing from the same old root system, creating an immense crown that continues to grow and flourish.
The tree was already established by the 16th century and may be over two thousand years old, making it a living witness to regional history. Over the centuries it has survived volcanic eruptions, storms, and environmental changes, remaining a symbol of nature's resilience on this terrain.
The chestnut tree takes its name from a local legend about a queen and hundred knights who sheltered beneath its branches during a storm. Local residents regard this ancient tree as a symbol of nature's enduring strength and view it as a place where protection and renewal converge in their regional memory.
The tree is located in Sant'Alfio along the Strada Provinciale 84 on the eastern flank of Mount Etna and is easily accessible on foot. The site is quiet and well-suited for a straightforward visit where you can view the tree up close and walk around it.
A measurement from 1780 documented that the tree's circumference reached approximately 58 meters around the trunk, requiring multiple people to encircle it completely. This extraordinary size makes it one of Europe's most remarkable trees and reveals the incredible power this ancient organism possesses.
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