Zafferana Etnea rose in the surroundings of the priorate of San Giacomo, in 1387; its name derives from the Arab term "zafarana", which means "yellow", the colour of the wild broom flowers, the excellent honey and the zapheran , very diffused in the surrounding area.
It was quite totally destroyed after the earthquakes in 1693 and 1818 and became an autonomous municipality in 1826.
The city develops around Piazza Umberto I, where is a splendid public garden and the Mother Church, dedicated to the Madonna della Provvidenza. This is a Baroque building flanked by two bell-fries, with a white-stone façade containing a statue of the Virgin. Inside are interesting works of art like a painting of Saint Joseph and the Child,