Pantelleria, otherwise known as Cossyra, is an island in the strait between the island of Sicily (Sicilia) and the coast of Tunisia, which is part of the province of Trapani (Trapani). Pantelleria volcanic island with craters of extinct volcanoes, the highest of which is Montagna Grande, thermal springs, numerous places where hot steam and gas come to the surface of the earth.
Due to strong winds from the African continent, the island got its name in Arabic meaning "Daughter of the wind."
Story
The first inhabitants of Pantelleria were representatives of the Iberian and Ligurian tribes, then it was mastered by travelers from Phenicia (Phoenicia) and Carthage (Cartagine), who built an acropolis on the hills of San Marco (Santa Marco) and Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa), city walls, plumbing communications and storage facilities for fresh water.
After 255 BC the island became part of the Roman Empire (Impero Romano) and was used as the residence of exiled high-ranking persons. In 700, the island was captured by Arab tribes, in the beginning of the XII century Pantelleria passed to the ruler of Sicily, Roger (Ruggero), from the beginning of the XIV century the island was taken over by the Aragonese ruler Luis de Requeséns, and since 1553 the territory joined the Ottoman Empire (L 'impero ottomano).
The island returned to Italy only at the end of the 19th century and was officially incorporated into the country in 1912.
Monuments of the Neolithic
When visiting Pantelleria, it is interesting to get acquainted with the remnants of Neolithic settlements located 3 kilometers from the port:
- Stone shaft of megaliths;
- The ruins of the dwellings of ancient people;
- A complex of 57 ancient burial grounds in the form of towers of elliptical shape with a diameter of 6 to 20 meters.
Household items (dishes, jewelry, etc.) of this period make up the exposition in the Syracuse Historical Museum.
Leisure
The island attracts tourists with its beaches with black pebbles or sand of volcanic origin. Lovers of outdoor activities come to Pantelleria:
- Diving enthusiasts dive off the eastern coast of the island, where there are many exotic fish, port buildings from the time of Phenicia have been preserved under water, and they also beat hot springs of mineral water;
- Hiking and cycling are popular along the flat or mountainous territory of the island, to the Isola di Pantelleria nature reserve or to the top of Montagna Grande, from where you can see the African coast.
You can take boat trips around the island to see caves, grottoes and outlandish cliffs:
- Rock Elephant Arch (Arco dell'elefante), similar in shape to an elephant drinking water;
- The Bay of Five Teeth (Cinque denti), rugged by impregnable cliffs;
- The Undine's Bath (Laghetto delle Ondine), which is a natural pool framed by pine trees.
Thermal springs and mud therapy
A famous place rich in healing mud is the salt lake Specchio Di Venere. Here you can take baths in salt water and make masks from natural mud.
SPA centers are located near several hot springs, for example, Grotta di Satheria in the village of Shiba.
Gastronomic tours
On the island there are several groves of olive trees, vineyards, caper plantations. Also common are plantings of spicy plants: thyme, rosemary, lavender, oregano, mint.
Travelers should definitely try original local dishes:
- Ravioli amari pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese and mint;
- Pantesco pesto sauce made from olive oil, garlic, basil, chili and tomatoes;
- Mustazole, sweet pastries from puff pastry with cinnamon, candied oranges, honey and semolina, etc.
Wine is made from rare grape varieties: sweet Moscato Passito di Pantelleria, Moscato di Pantelleria.
We recommend reading about: pesto sauce
Hotels
Pantelleria has a mild Mediterranean climate that attracts many tourists. The high season on the island lasts from June to October. In May and November, the average air temperature is 20-22 ° C.
Positive feedback marks more than 110 accommodation options.
3 stars
3 star hotels within walking distance of beaches,
offer a comfortable stay at an affordable price.
Mursia E Cossyra Hotel
Hotel Mursia E Cossyra, built on a rocky coast, has a closed beach area, consists of two buildings, one of which has rooms with a high level of comfort. All rooms have air conditioning, household appliances. Vacationers can use the pool, wellness and sports center, tennis court, relax on the spacious terraces. The hotel has parking, free internet access, and conditions are created for guests with special health capabilities.
Local cuisine will delight guests, evening activities diversify leisure activities. The hotel provides services for organizing walking, diving, excursions.
Blue moon hotel
Hotel Blue Moon (Blue Moon) invites you to stay in comfortable rooms with a high level of service, excellent sound insulation, split systems, outdoor terraces.
Guests can park their car in the free parking and use the free internet access. The hotel has the ability to provide leisure travelers with special health opportunities.
4 stars
4 star hotels are located near the beaches, provide a wide range of wellness services.
Hotel Village Suvaki
Rooms at Village Suvaki have spacious terraces or balconies with sea views. Guests can relax in the pool, SPA-salon, garden around the hotel, do fitness in the sports center, swim and sunbathe on the closed beach area.
Kids can have fun in the toy rooms and on the playground. The hotel has facilities for guests with disabilities. Entertainment programs for children and adults are carried out by professional animators, the hotel provides bicycle rental services, organization of walks, diving. The hotel will be convenient for guests with children and pets.
Pantelleria dream
Pantelleria Dream is located in the countryside, a 13-minute walk from the beach area. Each room has a spacious terrace with sea or garden views, air conditioning, minibars. For vacationers equipped with swimming pools, a massage parlor. The hotel staff provides services for organizing excursions, diving. Disabled guests with young children and pets are welcome here.
5 stars
On the island of Pantelleria there is a hotel of the highest class of comfort, accepting newlyweds, outdoor enthusiasts, couples without small children.
Sikelia Luxury Hotel
Sikelia Luxury Hotel is surrounded by a garden, with spacious verandas for relaxing, offering a variety of accommodation options in rooms of different sizes. The restaurant offers several menus, including diet dishes, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. The hotel has a wellness center, a swimming pool, and facilities for the disabled.
Apartments and B&B
Resort acropoli
Resort Acropoli invites you to rooms, each of which has a kitchen with modern appliances, a place for barbecue in the middle of a green garden, a swimming pool, a bath, a jacuzzi. The rooms are equipped with split systems, necessary household appliances.
The beaches are an 8-minute walk from the apartment, and at a distance of 5 kilometers lies the Lake of Venus with healing mud. The apartments will be convenient for families with children and pets, as well as vacationers with special health capabilities.
Madilia
Hotel Madilia is surrounded by a garden, just a 15-minute walk from the beach area. Each room has a small kitchen space with all necessary equipment, a veranda or a spacious balcony. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TVs.
How to get there
Pantelleria, which is 170 kilometers south of Trapani, can be reached by ferry or plane.
On a ferryboat
Siremar or Ustica lines provide ferries 13 times a week to Pantelleria Island from the port of Trapani. The ticket price for an adult is about 34 euros. Crossing a car and two passengers will cost about 200 euros.
- Information on prices and flight schedules is available at www.directferries.ru
By plane
You can get to Pantelleria by plane by the airline www.alitalia.com/ru_ru - we advise you to buy tickets only on the official Russian-language website.
A direct flight from Palermo or Trapani will take about 45 minutes, and a ticket costs about 50 euros.
- Pantelleria Airport Official Website: www.aeroportodipantelleria.it
