Pantelleria, black pearl of the Mediterranean, the largest of the islands surrounding Sicily, lies in the middle of the channel of the same name, about halfway between it and the African continent. It covers 83 square kilometers and reaches its maximum height in its central part, where the Montagna Grande rises 836 meters above sea level. The morphology of its territory is quite complex: in fact, the island originates from several volcanic episodes that have occurred and overlapped over time. The whole part that stretches from northeast to southwest is rather rocky and slopes down to the sea. In contrast, the northwestern part is more flat and hilly. The island’s uniqueness lies precisely in the variety of its landscapes. Surrounded by a crystal-clear sea and colorful seabed, it encloses within it a rather rugged territory, in which man has nevertheless managed to cultivate vines, and a Oriented Nature Reserve that stretches from the center of the island to the coast. The volcanic origin of Pantelleria explains the spectacular columns of steam that you can see escaping from the many crevasses that open in the rock: these are the so-called “Favare.” To the same cause can be attributed the natural saunas, the so-called “Stoves,” in which the steam emanations reach very high temperatures. Among the many hot springs on the island, the most important is the Specchio di Venere. History – Since the Neolithic period, the island was inhabited by a people probably from Tunisia. Already at that time Pantelleria was a place of special importance because of the abundant presence of obsidian, the most widely used material in prehistoric times. Some funerary monuments date to this period. In the 7th century B.C. it was colonized by the Phoenicians, who used it for their trade as a bridge between Africa and Sicily. Disputed during the Punic Wars, it was later conquered by the Romans, the Byzantines and, in the 1700s, the Arabs, who called it “Bent el Rion – Daughter of the Wind.” The long Arab domination left deep marks in the island’s language, customs and traditions. They were also responsible for the construction of the Dammusi, Pantelleria ‘s characteristic dwellings made of lava stone with domed roofs. Since then, Pantelleria followed the fate of the whole of Sicily. Because of its strategic position in the Mediterranean, during World War II, it suffered heavy bombing that destroyed much of the town. Getting there By sea – from Trapani www.siremar.it – www.usticalines.it and www.traghettidelleisole.it and from Mazara del Vallo www.usticalines.it By Air – Several airlines operate flights to Pantelleria, from major Italian airports. Look for the one closest to you !