The ‘Hundred Horse Chestnut' represents a hymn to nature's might. A majestic tree surrounded by stories, legends, magic. It is recognized as one of the oldest trees in whole Europe, whose age is about 4000 years. But that's not all: it is also in the Guinness World Record list as the largest in the world and unique to its species. It measures about 22 meters in height, while its hollow trunk is 22 meters in circumference.
In 2008 it has been recognized as a "Messenger of Peace Monument" by UNESCO. Around this beautiful tree, numerous legends revolve. The Hundred Horse Chestnut grows in Sant'Alfio, not far from the town, along the provincial road that leads to Linguaglossa, on the eastern side of Etna in Sicily. Even though there is no precise dating, according to experts its age is between two and four thousand years. It is said that a Queen – along with her following of a hundred knights and ladies – was caught in a thunderstorm during a hunting trip and found shelter under this immense and ancient chestnut. Under its thick canopy the entire vast following found shelter throughout that stormy night. It is not well known who that Queen was, some scholars believe it was Joan of Aragon, according to others Empress Isabella of England. According to others, it was Joanna I of Angiò.
The Hundred Horse Chestnut on the slopes of Etna is also a work by Jean-Pierre Houël painted between 1776 and 1779, preserved in Paris at the Louvre museum.
