In this article today, we want to focus on the beautiful Aeolian Islands and why they are now considered a true UNESCO heritage. Knowing all this could be something useful in case you feel like going on vacation to the Aeolian Islands because this way you can give greater importance to every experience.
Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi, and Panarea are the seven islands that make up the Aeolian archipelago. These are all located northeast of the beautiful region of Sicily and have been declared UNESCO World Heritage almost 24 years ago, in December 2000, for their morphology, which represents a historical model in the evolution of global volcanology studies.
The Aeolian Islands are indeed a true and extraordinary example of the volcanic phenomenon that is still ongoing and have provided volcanology with two different types of eruptions: the Vulcanian and the Strombolian ones, which have been studied for centuries and still continue to enrich the knowledge of volcanologists.
The first human settlements on Lipari and Salina, dating back centuries before 4000 BC, are particularly linked to volcanism due to the research and use of obsidian. The volcanic glass is due to the cooling of lava, which thus constituted a rather sharp material. If, in ancient times, this trade brought great prosperity to the islands, today they are very surprising for the beauty of their nature thanks to the succession of beaches, caves, and coves along with the wonderful seabeds. But now let’s get to know the whole archipelago and the various curiosities related to the islands.
Let’s get to know the Aeolian islands, a UNESCO heritage site, better: why?
Lipari is the largest island, with its municipality that includes all the other islands except Salina. Its beautiful Castle houses the Archaeological Museum, but the Greek acropolis and the Cathedral of Norman origin are also particularly interesting. Panarea is the smallest island, although it is also the oldest along with various islets and famous rocks forming a small archipelago on its own.
In Vulcano, instead, is linked the Greek myth of Hephaestus, god of fire and blacksmith, who according to tradition had his forges here: fumaroles, steam jets, and even sulfur muds are its main features. Then there is Stromboli, which hosts the most active of European volcanoes that enchants with its spectacular and frequent eruptions, but is characterized by the village of San Vincenzo with its white houses.
However, the island is also characterized by the hamlet of Ginostra, which can only be reached by mule track, and by the famous Strombolicchio, the rock surmounted by the large lighthouse. As for Salina, it is the second largest island and also hosts a beautiful forest of ferns overhanging the beaches.
The westernmost islands are instead Alicudi and Filicudi, where the craters of extinct volcanoes have given rise to wonderful, entirely wild environments. Finally, we can say that for those looking for the utmost tranquility, Alicudi is undoubtedly the most pristine island, where car traffic is prohibited and where you can also admire incredible natural scenery.
