Situated on the coast of Sicily and towering above the city of Catania is Europe’s highest volcano, Mount Etna. It is the second most active volcano on the planet as of 2015 (the most active, Kilauea, is located in Hawaii, though this could change if the La Palma volcano keeps going).
Etna’s eruptions have been documented since 1500 BC, its most powerful recorded eruption happening in 1669 when explosions destroyed part of the summit and lava flowed over 10 miles away. Over 200 eruptions have taken place between then and 2007, but Mt. Etna got back in the news in 2018 for intensified eruptions which continued into 2020 and 2021. As a matter of fact, a report published in August, 2021 found that Mount Etna is 100 feet taller than it was 6 months ago because of 50 eruptions over the previous half year. It’s a busy place!
Three hundred thousand years of lava flows, ash, and cinders have left most of the surface of Mount Etna hardened with solidified ash, rocks, and rich volcanic soil. This is the environment in which the Cirneco dell’Etna hunted, and from which the breed got its name (the “Etna” part of its name added in 1939. The name “Cirneco” came from the Greek word, “kyrenaikos,” which means “dog from Cyrene,” though some experts opine that it could also have come from the Latin word, “cernere,” which means “to look for attentively”).
According to legend, over a thousand Cirnechi were used as guardians for a temple built on the southwestern slope of Mount Etna to honor Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry. According to this legend, the hounds had the divine gift of recognizing thieves and skeptics among those who tried to enter the temple and attacked them accordingly. Conversely, true believers on a pilgrimage to the temple were found – and guided – by Cirnechi who were said to be especially kind and tolerant to intoxicated pilgrims. Good thing. Most of the God of Wine’s festivals involved copious amounts of drinking. The legend adds that back in the day, the temple was responsible for breeding many of these dogs who served the temple.
Image: Cirneco dell’ Etna/DepositPhoto
I dunno about recognizing thieves and skeptics. My Cirneco is new best friends with anyone who shows up with a treat in the pocket.
Drunks. Don’t forget the drunks. So here’s a thought. Have Walt sculpt a butter statue of Dionysus. THAT will get the Cirneco to defend the ol’ homestead. Oh, and volcanic rock. You must put volcanic rock down. You know, to stir the memories…..