Aeolian Islands
Aeolian Islands
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The Aeolian Islands are made up of an archipelago of seven islands located in front of the northern Sicilian coast, just 12 nautical miles from Capo Milazzo. They were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Their geological formation is volcanic and, in fact, there are still 2 active volcanoes, one on the island of Vulcano and one on the island of Stromboli.
The typical products of these islands such as capers, cucunci and malvasia are highly appreciated and exported all over the world.
Lipari
Lipari, formerly called Meligunis, is the largest and most populated of the Aeolian Islands.
The busiest street on the island is Corso Vittorio Emanuele, which is full of clubs and shops. It also represents the area of Lipari from which it is possible to reach the Castle. Very important is also the Piazza Ugo Sant’Onofrio, commonly called Marina Corta, where there are two historic churches: the Church of the souls of Purgatory and the Church of San Giuseppe. Passing through Piazza Mazzini, where the Town Hall is located, you reach the Castle located on a high cliff overlooking the sea and where we find monuments such as the Cathedral of San Bartolomeo (patron saint of the Aeolian Islands celebrated on August 24th), the Monastery del Santissimo Salvatore and the Aeolian Archaeological Museum. Throughout the Castle it is possible to admire the ruins of ancient civilizations (from the 8th century BC to the 18th century AD) which came to light during the excavations begun in 1950.
One of the most suggestive activities is certainly to go around the island through the panoramic roads.
Salina
Salina, formerly called Didyme (from the Greek “twin”) due to the presence of two extinct volcanoes. It owes its current name to a small lake in the hamlet of Lingua from which salt was extracted. Finds in the area of Santa Marina Salina date the first traces of civilization around the fourth century. B.C. and in the hamlet of Lingua there is the Civic Museum full of prehistoric finds.
Salina is famous for the export of typical products such as capers and Malvasia. It is also known for the scenes of the film “Il Postino” by Massimo Troisi, filmed in Pollara beach. Since 2011 Salina has been home to the “Mare film festival – Massimo Troisi Award”.
Vulcano
It was called “Hiera” because according to Greek mythology the “forges of Hephaestus” were located on the island. Vulcano is so called due to the presence of an apparently extinct volcano (since 1890 only secondary activities such as fumaroles and jets of steam and gas have been recorded). It is famous for its sulphurous mud with appreciated therapeutic properties for the skin. Among the most famous beaches of Vulcano we find the Spiagge dell’asino Beach and the Spiagge Nere Beaches.
Between 1949 and 1950, a large part of the film “Vulcano” by director William Dieterle was filmed on the island, starring Anna Magnani and Rossano Brazzi.
Between the island of Vulcano and the island of Lipari it is possible to admire the majesty of two large stacks, Pietra Lunga and Pietra Menalda, volcanic buildings shaped by time until they remain two towers of solidified magma.
Stromboli
The islanders call it “Iddu” (He) and it is from this volcano that the “Strombolian” type eruption takes its name, which consists in the expulsion of lapilli and lava bombs from an altitude ranging from tens to hundreds of meters, with activity repeating at regular intervals. Thanks to this volcanic activity the island is lost in an ancient and wild charm.
The island is mentioned in many novels and documentaries, but the most important is certainly the 1950 film “Stromboli Terra di Dio” by Roberto Rossellini starring a very young Ingrid Bergman. The house where they stayed during filming can be recognized by a plaque at the entrance. The island also includes “Strombolicchio”, a small volcanic island off the coast of Stromboli.
Panarea
Panarea is the oldest and smallest of the Aeolian Islands and constitutes a micro-archipelago thanks to the islets of Basiluzzo, Spinazzola, Lisca Bianca, Dattilo, Bottaro, Lisca Nera and the rocks of Panarelli and Formiche.
The island of Panarea is located within the “Panarea Island and nearby rocks” nature reserve, established in 1997.
Alicudi e Filicudi
In these two small islands of the archipelago there is an almost total absence of conventional vehicles. Instead of cars and scooters, donkeys are preferred for the transport of things or people and this ensures that the air is always clear and clean.
For this reason, Alicudi and Filicudi in summer attract hordes of tourists in search of a corner of paradise away from traffic.
Milazzo
Tindari
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