SICILY TOURISM: the beautiful island of Ustica
Ustica
The island of Ustica is well known for scuba diving in its marvelous Marine Protected Area. But even though just a tiny island of barely 9km2‚ the island has history‚ culture‚ geology and nature to offer!
Must-visits of Ustica during your holiday in Sicily
The history of Ustica starts about 740.000 years ago‚ when the island was born. Fractures in the terrestrial crust caused volcanic submarine eruptions creating two volcanic centers that rose above the surface: Monte Guardia dei Turchi and Monta Costa del Fallo. During a later stage‚ a third volcanic eruption took place‚ forming the Falconiera cliff‚ who’s crater can today still be easily recognized.
By the Greeks Ustica was known as “Osteodes”‚ or island of bones‚ for the human remains of a Carthaginian deportation of mercenary soldiers who died here from hunger and thirst. But the name Ustica derived from the Roman “Ustum”‚ or burnt one‚ because of its black lava rocks.
The first human presence on the island of Ustica dates back to the Neolithic epochs. The remains of the prehistoric village that can be visited near the Faraglioni of Ustica in the Tramontana area‚ dates back to the Bronze Age. Many terracotta findings and other utensils from the Neolithic and Bronze Age have been found around the island of Ustica‚ which can be admired in the archeological museum of Ustica.
From the 3rd century B.C. the Romans dominated the island. Located on the Falconiera hills‚ the remains of the roman town and necropolis can be found. Especially in this area‚ many Greek‚ Carthaginian and Roman archeological findings have been found‚ that are as well exposed in the archeological museum of Ustica. Many of the remains from these epochs have also been found underwater. The bay at Cala Santa Maria and in front of Spalmatore formed natural ports of Ustica. Many Roman anchors can indeed still be found during underwater archeological dive itineraries in these areas. One of the most recent findings‚ discovered just last year‚ has been a Roman ship that seems to be still intact and resting on the sea bottom at 70 meters depth just in front of Cala Santa Maria. With the fall of the Roman empire‚ the island lived a very quiet period for a few hundred years.
From the 8th century until the 11th century‚ Ustica was under Saracen control. The Normans took control afterwards and built the church of S.Maria and the Benedictine Convent. These constructions were destroyed again when the Saracens took over the island again during the 14th century. Attempts to get a stable colonization of the island of Ustica failed‚ due to the continuous attacks and raids of pirates it suffered from.
It wasn’t until the 18th century‚ under Bourbon rule‚ that the islands repopulation was finally encouraged by a law offering free agricultural land and tax exemption to families who moved to Ustica. The island got colonized by a large group of farmers‚ who one year later had to suffer from attacks of the Turks plundering the island. More solid defenses were built‚ of which the fort of Falconara and the Tower of Santa Maria and Tower of Spalmatore‚ can still be admired.
In the early 20thcentury‚ because of its remote location‚ the island started to become used to ban criminals and political prisoners. During the fascist period in Italy‚ opponents from Mussolini were exiled to the island‚ of which the communist MP Antonio Gramsci is the most well-known.
On June 27th 1980‚ a flight from Bologna to Palermo crashed at sea and the 81 people it carried died in the accident. Even though the plane crashed a considerable distance from the island of Ustica‚ this tragic event is known as the “Strage di Ustica”.
The small island of Ustica is a nature filled volcanic outcrop surrounded by pristine clear blue waters and definitely deserves a visit of all nature lovers. There are many hiking paths where you can enjoy unique panoramic views over crop fields‚ forest-covered hills framed and the intense blues of the Mediterranean Sea. The volcanic origin of the island created many grottoes‚ some that can be accessed from shore‚ some that can be seen during a touristic boat tour you can book at the port of Ustica.
Enjoy the sea and snorkel and explore the Piscine Naturali‚ the “natural pool” formed in the rocks at the base of one of the lighthouses of Ustica. It is in connection with the open sea through an underwater passage‚ used frequently by fish from the open water that pay a visit to the pool. Or chose to relax on the beach in all tranquility at Cala Sidoti or the pebble beach at the Acquario of Ustica.
Get to know the most interesting facts of Ustica by joining one of the interesting excursions offered on the island. From history‚ archeology‚ geology‚ naturalistic tours and astronomic excursions‚ you can’t stop listening to the fascinating facts and stories about the island of Ustica!
Absolutely not miss out on the enchanting sunsets over the Mediterranean sea on the western side of the island while enjoying an excellent Aperitivo with live music at the lighthouse.
Last but not least: scuba diving!
Established in 1986‚ the Marine Protected Area of Ustica is the oldest Marine Protected Area in Italy. The Marine Protected Area guarantees a sparkling and clean‚ sea‚ protected from overfishing. This has resulted in and underwater paradise of fish and coral. In fact‚ the reserve is host to half of the marine species present in the Mediterranean Sea‚ making it a biodiversity hotspot. It is for these reasons that Ustica is also known as the diving capital of the Mediterranean.
The dive spots in Ustica are numerous and very diverse from one another. The volcanic origin of the island created its seabed full of forms‚ from steep vertical reefs‚ to caves and caverns. Divers can expect a completely new underwater scenery on every dive site‚ from the shoals of Secchitello and Colombara‚ where large shoals of barracuda can be found‚ the fascinating itineraries of caves and passages of Scoglio del Medico‚ the corals and small nudibranchs of dive sites such as Pastizza‚ to archeological underwater findings at Falconiera and Secca d’Africa. From neo-certified Open Water Divers to advanced technical diving‚ from reefs to caves and wrecks‚ from critters to pelagic‚ Ustica has it all.
Must-eats of Ustica during your holiday in Sicily
The island of Ustica is small‚ but has a lot of fresh products to offer; from freshly caught fish to delicious vegetables‚ legumes and sweet fruits grown on the island';;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;s rich soils! Ustica lentils are known for being of excellent quality. Not to be missed are the Ustica tiny delicious shrimps and the award-winning pasta dish with lentils‚ sardines and fennel! But also enjoy a freshly made granita to cool down on a hot summer day! From breakfast to dinner‚ you are guaranteed to enjoy every meal that the typical charming restaurants of Ustica have to offer you!
