Linguaglossa is a renowned skiing location, located on the north-eastern scope of the Etna; it was probably founded by the inhabitants of Naxos.
Its name derives from Linguagrossa, referring to a "grossa lingua di lava" (a big tongue of lava). The first inhabited center goes back to 1145 and, in time, it belonged to the noble families Crisafi, Cottone, and Patti. Afterwards, it became a possession of the Bonanno family until 1634, when the town was annexed to the Royal property and it acquired its autonomy.
The XVII century Chiesa Madre (also called Matrice) preservs a wooden choir dated back to the XVIII century and some important pictures; the Church of Sant'Eligio, patron saint of the town, the Church of Sant'Antonio and Vito, with a beautiful lava stone portal, and the XVI century Church of San Francesco di paola worth a visit.