Built in 1806 by the Italian geologist, Mario Gemmellaro (1773-1839). Originally intended as a volcanic observatory at the foot of Mount Etna, it was later enlarged by Lieutenant General Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin (1772-1841), quartermaster-general in Sicily.  Later it became known as the "Casa Inglese" (English House) and was damaged in an earthquake in 1858.  It survived in some form until 1971 and was only finally completely buried by a volcanic eruption in 2001.