Viagrande (Catania Province) is 13 km from Catania, alt. 310 m, on the southeastern slopes of Mt. Etna, area 10.1 sq km, a population of over 5,900, post-code 95029, tel. 095. Economy: agriculture (fruit and wine), tourism.

This town was a fief of Trecastagni until it passed to the Di Giovanni family in 1642, and to the Alliatas in the 18th century. It takes its name from the royal highway that led to Messina.

Of interest are the old houses with their courtyards and little doors carved out of lava.

On January 15 is the Festa of San Mauro.

Churches (Catania Diocese) include the following:

Santa Maria dell'Idria (Chiesa Madre)

Santa Caterina V.M.

San Biagio (Viscalori - suburb of Viagrande)

Links to sites with more about Viagrande include:

Italian Wikipedia

Italian Towns

Italian Postal Codes

Sicily Web

Viagrande

Catania Provincia

Sicilia

Sicilian Net

My latest book on CD is titled Sicily - A Reference for Researchers and is now available. With a file for each town (plus many other files), it relates the history of Sicily as reflected in the photos, records and festivals of its towns. It contains over 2500 text and photo files and can be ordered at CD order.