Mascalucia (Mascalucìa in Sicilian) is an Italian town of 32,179 inhabitants of the metropolitan city of Catania in Sicily and located on the slopes of Etna. It is the seventh most populous municipality in the metropolitan city of Catania. The historic center of Mascalucia winds along the Via Etnea and dates back to the 18th century. On the road there are the church of San Vito (patron of the city), the Mother Church dedicated to Maria SS. della Consolazione and the church of San Nicola long deconsecrated, today Municipal Auditorium. Noteworthy are some facades of noble palaces such as Palazzo Rapisardi and Palazzo Cirelli. Even in the surrounding streets you can see ancient portals built with the black lava stone of Etna. The main street, via Etnea, along with the San Vito course, has many characteristic shops.