On Etna there are very many tunnels formed by lava flows. These tunnels were already present in nature, then adopted by the lava that flowed into the glowing magma during eruptions. The temperature of lava remains very high on its journey through the tunnels. When the flow of magma from the vent ceases, previously emitted lava continues to flow under the solidified crust.

In ancient times, people used these caves as places of burial and as storage space for the winter snow falls so as to preserve it as a source of refreshment during the warm period.

Here below are some of the caves on Etna volcano:

Cave of Ice: about 2000m altitude on the northern slope

Cave of Raspberries: about 1700m altitude on the northern slope

Cave of Vanette: near the refuge of Maletto Mount at about 1700m altitude on the northern slope

Cave of Females: at 1650 m altitude on the northern slope

Cave of Doves: at 1560m altitude on the northern slope

Cave of Robbers: about 1550m altitude on the eastern slope, downstream of Citelli Refuge

Cave of Three Levels: at 1600m altitude on the southern side, near the House of Bishop way

Cave of the Skier: at 1600m altitude on the southern side, near the House of Bishop way

Cave of Devil: about 2400m altitude on the northern side

Cave of the Chest: about 1400m altitude, on the southern side, located in the municipality of Zafferana Etnea, in the area of Bishop's Plain