THE EOLIE ISLANDS - Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea - UNESCO World Heritage Site

To the north-east of Sicily, Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea are the seven islands of the Aeolian archipelago, like a sort of archaeological park in perpetual evolution: the ash, lava and erupted material preserve the vestiges of the past and return them perfectly preserved.
Seven islands where the incomparable nature, beaches, coves, caves, stacks, are complemented by the incomparable variety and richness of the seabed, as well as the various geological and volcanological aspect.

WHAT ARE THE ISLANDS?

LIPARI
Lipari, the ancient Greek Meligunis, is the largest and most populous island of the archipelago, where the presence of man has been constant for over six thousand years.
The Lipari Castle with its ancient cloister from the Norman period, the 13th century Cathedral, the 13th century Church of Purgatory, the Acropolis and the remains of tombs from the Greco-Roman period, the Archaeological Museum and the Baroque churches are important.
Along the coast are numerous white beaches of pumice with the colours of the sea varying from turquoise to deep blue, creating a unique and evocative landscape. Today, volcanic phenomena are limited to the presence of fumarolic activity and hot springs, located on the western side of the island.

VULCANO
The third largest island of the archipelago, Vulcano is the southernmost of the Aeolian Islands.
The ancient island of Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire, became 'Vulcano' with the Romans and remained uninhabited due to strong volcanic activity. Currently, this activity is limited to fumarolic emissions, present almost everywhere, the last major eruption occurring in 1888. The harbour area and the isthmus of Vulcanello are among the most striking and peculiar landscapes in the Mediterranean.
PANAREA
Panarea is the smallest of the islands of the archipelago, the geological hypothesis is that it is part of a large volcanic crater that was destroyed. The island has a remarkable variety of environments, making it an interesting naturalistic destin
STROMBOLI
Stromboli is the only island in the archipelago with permanent volcanic activity. The eruptions are alternating and the phenomenon is referred to as 'Strombolian activity', a famous term found in all major geology and volcanology texts.
This island is the northernmost of the archipelago and rises with steep slopes up to 924 metres above sea level. Its territory is not very accessible, but the few flat areas are cultivated with vineyards and the production of 'malvasia' is renowned.
FILICUDI
The island of Filicudi has an area of 9.5 square kilometres, and a maximum elevation of 774 m above sea level. The etymology of the Greek name, Phoinikodes, derives, according to Aristotle, from the abundant presence of palm trees or, according to others, from the ferns after which the island's highest point is named.
ALICUDI
Alicudi, is one of the geologically more recent islands. Today it is sparsely populated and its eastern side is almost entirely terraced, while the rugged and wild western side is uninhabited and impassable due to steep slopes.
SALINA
The first colonisers of ancient Greece named this island after Didyme, precisely because of the unmistakable appearance of the two 'twin' mountains rising high above the sea. Salina has a trapezoidal shape, with the fertile Valdichiesa saddle in the centre, cultivated with 'malvasia' vineyards.
WHY THESE ISLANDS ARE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE?
The morphology of volcanic islands represents a historical model in the evolution of studies of volcanology worldwide. The Aeolian Islands are an extraordinary example of the volcanic phenomenon still in progress. Studied since the 18th century, the islands have provided volcanology with two types of eruption (Vulcanian and Strombolian) and have consequently occupied an eminent place in the education of all geologists for over 200 years. The site continues to enrich the field of volcanological studies.

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