This charmingly restored stable annex of old farmhouse in Lami Castagna offers Sicily vacation rentals with a panoramic views of the sea and hills.
Pumice, a porous variety of obsidian, is also produced by volcanoes and has the same composition; it is of a greyish white colour and is so light that it floats on water. It was used in prehistoric times as an abrasive stone for finishing tools. Today it is used as an industrial abrasive, in concrete and for soundproofing. The large pumice quarries that have pitted and whitened the slopes of Monte Pilato have provided work for generations of local inhabitants, although quarrying has shown a sharp decline in recent years.
The oldest settlements have been found on the plateau areas of Castellaro Vecchio, while the early centuries of the first millenium BC saw the growth of the first settlement on the Rocca di Castello. During the period in which the obsidian trade was in its height and a strong economy led to population growth, the settlement expanded onto the Diana plateau, at the foot of Rocca di Castello.
There are many trips for you to explore this fascinating history. Visit the Castle of Lipari, with the Aeolian park and Museum, among the most important archeological museums in Europe. Tour the island, stopping at Quattrocchi, Quattropani-Chiesa Vecchia, Terme di San Calogero, Acquacalda, the pumice and obsidian quarries and Canneto. There are excursions to Monte Guardia, Monte San Angelo, Cappero-Semaforo and Pirrera-Forgiavecchia. There are boat trips to the Faraglioni (large rocks protruding out of the sea) and Pietra del bagno.
The Aeolian archipelago is made up of seven islands: Lipari, Vulcano, Panarea, Stromboli, Salina, Filicudi and Alicudi.
Lipari is the most important and populated centre and, except for the independent Salina, the other islands are under its town council. There are two landing places: Marina Corta for the hydrofoils and Sottomonastero for the ferry boats. Lipari is very rich in geological and volcanic aspects: there are fumarole (smoke holes) in Bagnosecco, sulphurous volcanoes and hot springs in San Calogero.
Lipari is an ideal health and seaside resort thanks to its mild climate and beautiful views. The boat trip around the island is a great opportunity to see endless beaches, bays, grottoes and rocks. The centre of Lipari between Marina Lunga and Marina Corta and its Castle is the main point of the historical centre, and here stands the old Bishops’ Palace near the Cathedral.
Lipari is the largest and the most populated of the Aeolian islands. Its physical layout, with its gentle lowlands, has prompted a number of towns to spring up both along the coast and inland.
