EXCURSIONS TO THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS

Lipari is the largest and most heavily populated island of the archipelago. The town is spread out under the imposing Castle rock, the ancient Greek acropolis, and along the bays of Marina Corta and Marina Lunga, to the north and south. The houses climb up under the ramparts and via Garibaldi follows them around, from Piazza Mazzini to the lovely Marina Corta.

Lipari or Meligunis, as the Greeks called it because of its mild climate, has a surprising variety of scenery due to its geological complexity. Twelve volcanoes have shaped the island over thousands of years.

Its volcanic origin is evident in the Muria Valley, with its red rocks, and on the north-east coast, covered by a vast flow of pumice, which hides Roman ruins of the 4th century AD. On this white mountain three flows of obsidian criss-cross, the Forgia Vecchia, the Rocche Rosse and the most ancient one Canneto. Pumice and obsidian, black and white, are both glassy and made of silicon but differ regarding specific weight, the way in which the eruption and cooling of the magma happened, acidity and viscosity. The plates and points produced with the precious obsidian determined the wealth of Lipari before the Bronze Age, as they were goods to exchange with peoples who didn’t have them.

Today, the pumice deposits are spread over eight square kilometres and are the second resource of the island after tourism. For more than a century pumice has been exploited for its various uses in the tanning of hides, in building, and as a coating and abrasive.

Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the old Roman decuman, is still the main street. In the summer months it is always lively, full of tourists and locals. You can go shopping or just take an evening stroll past the rows of shops, agencies and bars.

Among the many things on sale, malmsey and capers are the most common and can be found just about everywhere.

Via Garibaldi is a series of artisans’ shops and restaurants.

Marina Corta is connected by an isthmus to the peninsula where the small church of the Souls in Purgatory stands. Jetties have been built which have rather changed the natural look of the place. However, even today, especially out of the tourist season, it still retains the charm of a fishing village.