Guide of Lipari

Lipari is part of the Aeolian archipelago, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the eastern coast of Sicily, it is a submerged volcano and the largest island in of the Aeolian archipelago, there is life on the island even during the winter.

History

In the past Lipari flourished due to the extraction of obsidian on the island, it was exported throughout the Mediterranean. It has been ruled by many populations, from the Etruscans to the Greeks, then later the Byzantines, Arabs and Normans. In 1544 Lipari suffered destruction at the hands of the Turkish fleet but at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Lipari became an important stopover for many sea routes, which encouraged economic growth throughout the whole archipelago.

Places to visit

Today the island has various sources of income including tourism; pumice stone extraction, capers, vineyards and fishing. The flora and fauna on the island make it really special and walking through the streets of Lipari you can smell the capers rosemary and broom in the air. The fish are varied, from swordfish to tuna, from lobster to bluefish, crustaceans and molluscs. A species of amphibian that is unique to Lipari is the Bufo viridis. For lovers of history and art, Lipari has the Aeolian Museum, which is located in the ancient Spanish castle, where ancient remains and treasures from the archipelago are displayed. Archaeological remains surround the Cathedral of San Bartolomeo, which stands at the centre of the hill. There are the remains of some ancient prehistoric villages and the Greek theatre to visit too.

Beaches

In Lipari the White Beach is one of the most unique beaches in the world, the volcanic landscape has formed a seabed and shoreline made of iridescent white pumice, which is very striking to look at.