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Pantelleria Island The Mediterranean Sea is filled with islands that have a rich history and beautiful landscapes that are wonderful places to visit for a full-blown vacation or just a day trip if in the regions. Pantelleria Island, once known as Cossyria, is one of these places. Situated 62 miles southwest of Sicily, Pantelleria Island is a commune and part of the province of Trapani. The island is of volcanic origin and the highest point is Mt. Grande, which resides 2,743 feet above sea level. The soil is rich in minerals and the island hosts numerous hot springs and fumaroles, evidence that its volcanic origins are still at play. There is no source of fresh water anywhere on the island. The main town sits on a fortified harbor on the northwest edge of the island and it can be reached by hydrofoils, ferries, and small steamers from the city of Trapani on the mainland. The islands history goes all the back to the ancient Greek and Romans. The islands native population wasn’t Italian, but of Iberian stock. Taken over by the Carthaginians in the in the beginning of the 7th century BC, Pantelleria Island remained in their control until around 217 BC when the Romans took final control of it. It was part of Operation Corkscrew in World War II, although whether it was bombed by Allied Troops to be cleared for an airbase still remains a myth as the island shows no evidence of it. The island was also once home to a penal colony. Visitors to the island will find that they can easily get around to see the sights. There are buses that run all over the island and for those more adventurous types, mopeds can be rented. The island is small enough to go around in four hours. Two hotels serve the island, as well as two restaurants that serve the local cuisine and are recommended by the locals. Anyone interested in handmade items can purchase sculptures and art from one of the three artisans that live on the island. With its history dating back to the ancient times, Pantelleria Island has numerous tourist attractions that many will find interesting. Boat tours are offered for visitors for a small fee and include food and wine, swimming stops, photographic opportunities and the chance to see homes of many famous Italian’s, such as Armani. For those who like to hike, the island boasts maintained trails through all of the complex geology that makes up this unique island. Visitors can also stop and enjoy many of the thermal pools and the Santaria, a hot pool inside a cave which is said to be the love nest of Ulysses and Calypso. The Specchio di Venere is a lake that was formed within the crater of a former volcano on the island and is great for photo shoots. There are Neolithic villages that have been excavated as well as the Sesi, Neolithic funeral mounds near Cunelie. And for those tourists with a taste for vino, a tour of the vineyards in the Piano Ghiraldia is definitely in order. As with many of the islands found in the Mediterranean, Pantelleria Island’s rich history, hot springs, and beautiful vistas would be a wonderful place to visit for a taste of the exotic.
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Alfredo Gennaro Dagata is the author of this article on dammusi pantelleria. Find more information about pantelleria hotel here.
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