Hundred Horse Chestnut, Natural monument in Sant'Alfio, Italy.
The Hundred Horse Chestnut is an ancient tree on Mount Etna's eastern slope at 705 meters elevation, with multiple trunks growing from a single root system. It stands roughly 22 meters tall with branches that extend widely outward in all directions.
The tree received official protection in 1745 through the Court of the Royal Heritage of Sicily, marking an early conservation effort in the region. This recognition reflects how long the tree had already been valued as a natural landmark.
The tree takes its name from a legend about Queen Joanna of Aragon, who sought shelter with her knights during a storm beneath these massive branches. This story remains woven into local memory and shapes how people understand the place today.
The tree stands along the Linguaglossa road about eight kilometers from Mount Etna's crater in the province of Catania. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for the exposed volcanic terrain where the tree grows.
In 1780, the tree's circumference was recorded at approximately 58 meters, making it the chestnut tree with the largest girth in world records. This measurement demonstrates how exceptionally broad this specimen is compared to others of its kind.
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