Valverde is a small medieval village in the Aci territory, set on a promontory on the slopes of Etna and close to the Ionian coast. Surrounded by citrus groves and hills, it has a quiet, traditional character shaped by its position between the volcano and the sea, with a strong sense of local devotion at the centre of village life.
Its identity is closely tied to the wider history of the Aci settlements. The village nucleus is said to have formed when inhabitants of Aci sought refuge in the Bosco di Aci during pirate raids, and Valverde is first mentioned in 1389. Older names such as *Sanctae Mariae Vallis Viridis*, *Vallis Viridis*, *Bedduviddi* and *Aci Belverde* reflect both its medieval roots and its long connection with this corner of eastern Sicily.
Some scholars have also associated the area with the lost Greek city of Xiphonia, though this remains uncertain. What makes Valverde distinctive today is the way its Etna landscape, Aci heritage and enduring Marian memory are concentrated in a compact village setting.
Patron Saint:
Santa Maria di Valverde – Last Sunday in August
Nearest Airport:
Catania (Fontanarossa) – (43 km, 00:37)
Neighboring Cities:
