Lipari island

Lipari Island (Meligunis) Area 38.6 sq km Population 10,690

Height above sea level: 602 m (Monte Chirica)
Location: 38.48 ° N, 14.95 ° E
Total area: 38 square kilometers (Lipari)

Lipari is the largest and most geologically complex of the Aeolian Islands, as well as the administrative center (the town of Lipari) for all the islands with the exception of Salina. Made up of several eruptive centers that show a more or less aligned north-south, the island is elongated in this direction. The highest point is Mount Chirica in the northern part of the island, although the profile of Lipari is dominated by the large central building of Monte S. Angelo, with its 594 m height is only slightly below the peak of Mount Chirica.
Lipari is a volcanic system is still active, as evidenced by a weak fumarolic and hydrothermal activity in the western part of the island. (Volcanic map island of Lipari)

Lipari alternates landscapes as diverse as the arid grasslands of western grasses and scrub areas high-Mediterranean area between Chirica Monte and Monte Sant’Angelo. The former are characterized by the abundant presence of dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis) and the spring flowering of many species of orchids and the latter by a rich flora characteristic of the fresh hilly areas of Sicily, where prevail arbutus, heather, ash and ferns aquiline. The fauna includes some interesting endemic species, including subspecies screams of dormouse exclusive island (Eliomys quercinus liparensis) and several species of insects. Among the migratory birds of prey, are quite common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), the significant presence of the raven (Corvus cl whose population density reach truly extraordinary in Lipari and the other islands of the archipelago. On west coast and the surrounding islands, during the spring months, however, some nesting colonies of Mediterranean gull (Larus cachinnans).

Historical Background

The town of Lipari in 1610 was built on a small rocky promontory, surrounded by a strong chain of walls built between 1544 and 1554. The majority of the population lived within the walls of fortification, not a few, however, lived outside the walls or in remote areas and this was opposed by the Spanish authorities who considered the castle safe from pirate attacks. When the castle was full of houses and population, the bishop granted between 1608 and 1611 at the University building areas near the walled city areas burdened with an annual income. Within the city there were the most important churches, the town hall, the bishop’s palace and the barracks. Controlled, St. Andrew’s, Newfoundland and Verdesca were the neighborhoods in which the city was divided and the first two were the richest of homes and people. There were few decent and comfortable houses, many were made of a room or two, most of them were isolated for the need to collect rainwater and some part were missing the toilet. The lack of availability of water for irrigated agriculture Aeolian strongly conditioned the early seventeenth century.

GEOLOGY OF THE ISLE OF LIPARI

On the island of Lipari can be distinguished four periods of volcanic activity, between the Tyrrhenian and the Age of the Romanesque. The volcanic outcrops represent a typical association calculated alkaline, with terms varying composition of quartz-andesites to rhyolites alkaline. Among the series examined can be divided into three different groups of rocks, each of which takes probably originate from different sources magmatic and / or has undergone different processes of magmatic evolution.
The cast-alkaline volcanics of the Aeolian archipelago petrochemical show characters similar to those of the typical “andesites” continental margin and also differ substantially from the associations of island arc. Seismic data and petrochemical plants are not favorable to relate the Aeolian Islands with a system of island arc type.

General Information

Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands and has a population of about 9000 inhabitants. L ‘island has a rugged volcanic soil, tuff, obsidian and pumice, and is characterized by coastal cliffs, fronted by rocks. The main center is the town Lipari located in a cove on the south-east. Agriculture (vines, vegetables, fruits), extraction of pumice stone, and especially tourism are the economic resources of the island.

Underwater routes

La Pietra del Bagno
The “Pietra del bagno” is a large rock, located a few tens of meters from the west coast of Lipari, overlooking the south side of Salina, a point easy to find, offering enjoyable diving for divers of all levels of experience. The rocks of the cliff directly down to a depth of between 25 and 30 meters and then continues with a spectacular landslide of boulders, up to heights of over 40 meters. When you reach the south side of Stone Bath there is a stretch of the most interesting for underwater photography: a depth of twenty meters rise of giant boulders colorful, flooded with sunlight that penetrates with ease in the ‘clear water .

Punta Castagna 
Punta Castagna is in that part of the coast of Lipari characterized by the pumice quarries. A depth of about 10 meters, and crossed the garden white sediment, the show is impressive. It is suspended on an endless abyss that is lost in deep blue and the contrast with the whiteness of volcanic dust that covers everything is violent. The morphology of the seabed is extremely varied: you swim at the bottom of valleys by high walls, is flying over sharp peaks, is along sheer cliffs. To the end you may decide to go down you will always have the intense blue under the fins and you will never see the end of this chasm. It will take a lot of attention: the bottom is always the same, as 30 to 60 meters, the same cozy atmosphere, the same dark color of ‘water. From the large still down then along one of the many parallel gullies and head to the left. The ideal height is 40 meters: not too deep but already teeming with fans of Paramuricee and dense shoals of Anthias. A bit ‘higher up is a vertical split rich shrimp.

Trips by land

One of the first things to do, just arrived in Lipari, it is the turn of ‘island, to appreciate its size and urbanization. About 4 km from Lipari meets Canneto, located in a cove bordered to the south east from Mount Pilatus. From Canneto, along the road that leads to the church of Pirrera, you can reach Old Forge, the Fortresses Red and White Field, famous for the first two obsidian flows and pumice the expanses of the ‘last. Continuing along the road that leads to Acquacalda you reach Porticello, dominated by white pumice deposits. Passed the promontory of Punta Castagna, meets Acquacalda where there is a beach dominated by pumice quarries. From here begins the climb up the mountain to the village of Quattropani, situated on a promontory just in front of the ‘island of Salina. Still stands on a plateau planted with vines, the village of Pianoconte with its white houses. At about a quarter of an ‘hour from Pianoconte, there are the Terme di S. Calogero, built in 1867 and known right from ‘ancient times for their therapeutic virtues, attest to the presence of a Roman grotto, which dates back to about 3,500 years ago, and the “Tholos” of Mycenaean civilization, brought to light during the work restoration of 1984/85. Returning to the main road you will reach the impressive Belvedere Quattrocchi. From here you can admire the picturesque coves with high coasts, the ‘beautiful view of the Faraglioni and the background of the’ island of Vulcano. Again to return to the main road, continuing to Lipari, an interesting detour is the path that winds through the vineyards of Monte Guardia. On top of the mountain is the ‘International Geophysical Observatory.

Trekking Nature
Trekking Nature lovers can do extensive experience in the ‘Aeolian archipelago. In these islands, in fact, are rare landscape of the plant and animal kingdoms. The ‘observer can capture phenomena such as allowing plants to survive in extreme climates, without’ water and too much light and too much heat. Feature is the Mediterranean vegetation consists predominantly of oleander, myrtle, heather, gorse and oak leaf as well as thorny shrubs and aromatic thyme. The vegetation is characterized by crops of olive groves and vineyards that make up the coating plant of the islands mainly in the higher areas of the mountains. The trekking allows the visitor to take a more complete picture of this fascinating archipelago and its natural heritage. There are side roads and trails that were used by many workers to reach the pumice quarries, the ‘arrival of tourism and’ abandonment of crops have favored fallen into disuse in most of these trails making them disappear under the thick vegetation, and today all paths are easily feasible thanks to the cooperative The Path (il passo).

Excursions by sea
Of great interest to tourists is a boat ride around Lipari, from which you can admire landscapes worked for thousands of years and backdrops wonderful. The ‘one after another is happening deep caves, beautiful beaches, high coasts, wide bays and rugged cliffs. It generally begins at Marina Corta and head to Canneto, finally overcoming the promontory of Monte Rosa. Passing through the village you can see the white expanse of the pumice deposits, with characteristic piers that stretch out into the sea (for transport of pumice on cargo ships). The White Beach, one of the most beautiful of Lipari, is so named for the color of the seabed, due to the sediments of pumice deposited in the sea over the years. The continuous variation of geological situations are real in Punta Castagna, formed by ‘obsidian become a promontory: this is one of the most picturesque corners of the coastal journey. Rounding Punta Castagna appears Acquacalda. After the channel that separates from Salina Lipari appears Inzolfato, once the composition geolitica stratified nature of sulfur. A little further ahead, are the rocks of Torricelle, Punta Palmeraie, and Stone Bath. Pass the Punta delle Fontanelle and that of Grotticelle, overlooking the beach of Valle Muria. Immediately after the rocks of ants in front of Volcano, passing under the ‘arc rocky Punta del Perciato, you can see the solitary Menalda Faraglioni di Pietra and Pietra Lunga, guarding the canal that separates Lipari Vulcano. Just before Punta Crepazza is a picturesque beach called Praia di Vinci. The picturesque coves follow one another until the fortress of Lipari, finally arriving at the port of Marina Corta.

LEGENDA: 1-Lipari 2-Pietralunga 3-Pianoconte 4-Terme di San Calogero 5-Chiesa vecchia di Quattropani 6-Acquacalda 7-Cave di Pomice 8-Canneto 9-Monterosa 10-Monte Sant’Angelo

TO VISIT:

• The Archaeological Museum in Lipari
• Virtual tour of the acropolis of Lipari
• Lipari Project Esemar
• Photo gallery Lipari
• Weather forecast Lipari
• Live weather data in Lipari, Aeolian and Milazzo 
• Eolian Webcams 

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