CataniaMascali.
The present-day town was built af ter the 1928 eruption
destroyed the old Mascali, situated slightly higher
up, a town of mediaeval origin and possibly the
site of the ancient Chalcidian colony of Callipolis.
It had long belonged to the Bishops of Catania,
the Counts of Mascali, and, before, to the dioceses
of Taormina, Troina and Messina. The name Mascali
appears to come from the Byzantine term Maskalis
(flowering), with reference to the fertility of
the land (which was therefore more expensive than
in other areas). The development of the town has
slowed down since the neighbouring centres of Giarre
and Riposto separated from Mascali and became autonomous
communes.
The Chiesa Madre, San Leonardo Abate, built in
1935 in neoclassical style, is a building of considerable
size.
