Licodia Eubea

Licodia Eubea is an Italian municipality in the province of Catania, Sicily. It is located about 36 km south of Catania, at an altitude of 600 m above sea level.

The name ‘Eubea’ was added in 1863, in honour of the island of Evia, Greece, as many of its inhabitants were originally from Greece.

The territory of Licodia Eubea consists mainly of hills and valleys that create an enchanting and evocative landscape. Among the numerous sites of interest there are the church of Santa Maria del Monastero, the church of San Giuseppe, the Aragonese castle and the fountain of the Nymph. But Licodia Eubea is also an area rich in nature, where the Vaito Forest together with Licodia Lake represent the town’s green lung. The forest has large cupuliferous trees, called cork trees (Quercus suber), from whose bark cork is obtained. Licodia Lake or Dirillo Lake is artificially fed by the river of the same name. It is a popular destination for fishing, trekking, canoeing and sailing lovers,  with a basin of 24 million cubic metres of water.

Every year, on the occasion of the 1 May festival, the municipality organises the ‘Vivi Natura’ (Live Nature) event, which is divided between the Bosco Vaito and the Licodia Lake, with the aim of enhancing the two areas of naturalistic value and raising the awareness of inhabitants and visitors to respect and protect nature.

Licodia Eubea is also famous for a series of cultural and religious events that take place throughout the year, including the patronal feast of San Giuseppe and the feast of the Madonna del Carmelo. Overall, it is a place rich in history, culture and natural beauty that is well worth a visit.