Vivi Pantelleria

Pantelleria cuisine is the result of the contamination of different cultures, and the use of typical products of the island makes some island dishes unique, such as pesto pantesco, a condiment based on raw tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil and chilli pepper. , used to dress pasta or accompany fish or meat main courses; fish couscous, here always accompanied by vegetables: Pantelleria salad, with boiled potatoes, capers, olives, fresh tomatoes, onion and basil, to which you can also add tumma, fresh local cheese, or the aromatic oregano: the imaginative sweets of Pantelleria, such as mustazzola, sweet ravioli, sfinci, cassateddri. Let yourself be guided by your nose, and try Pantelleria cuisine in the many restaurants on the island, or go shopping and prepare Pantelleria dishes in our kitchens!

Pantelleria is a splendid and magical island in the center of the Mediterranean, to be visited and appreciated in all seasons, not only in summer for its sea, but for various reasons. Archeology is one of these: all the peoples who passed through Pantelleria have left us an important and fascinating cultural and archaeological heritage. You can walk among the remains of prehistoric villages built thousands of years ago, among the ruins of the ancient Roman, Hellenistic, classical civilizations, up to the most recent military artifacts of the Second World War. You can do it on your own, or by taking advantage of one of the various organized excursions.

The geological history of Pantelleria has bequeathed several manifestations of secondary volcanism, such as the emissions of water vapor and the numerous springs of thermal waters. Those who love nature and natural well-being can, in any season and at any time of day, find relief and relax by immersing themselves in the warm open-air thermal waters of Gadir, Sataria, Scauri, Nikà, Lake of Venus, places with evocative names. The waters of the springs, particularly sweet but rich in mineral salts, are used above all to treat arthrosis and rheumatism. Enjoy these ``natural spas`` in total autonomy

The fire, which cannot be seen but which is still present under our feet, has left indelible traces on the island. We find them in the ancient and majestic lava flows that reach the sea, in the overhangs with the red walls of volcanic rocks and yellow of sulfur, in the games of the hot vapors that come out from the cracks in the rocks: the famous Favara Grande with its jets of water vapor which can even reach 100 ° C; Kuddia Mida, top of a volcanic crater from where you can admire one of the most beautiful views of the Lake of Venus; the natural sauna of Beniculà, in Sibà, used as a real sauna to treat rheumatic pains; Khazen's stove, heated by the heat escaping from the ground. Visit these suggestive places at any time of the year, perhaps taking advantage of one of the organized excursions.

Pantelleria is also a ``peasant island``. The work of man has been enormous: over the centuries the people who have inhabited the island have transformed an inhospitable land into arable land. The typical productions of the place, olives and capers, zibibbo grapes, raisins, wine, have allowed in the past a certain well-being, thanks to commercial exchanges. The caper is a shrub typical of the Mediterranean flora, with beautiful white and pink flowers with violet reflections; its buds are used in various dishes of Pantelleria cuisine. Zibibbo is the grape from which passito wine is made, rich in unique aromas and scents, the protagonist of Pantelleria tables. Go to the discovery of the rural districts of the island, stop and buy capers, oil and passito from the farmers, or choose one of the various organized excursions.

Pantelleria, a volcanic and wild island, is covered by a splendid Mediterranean flora, despite the scarcity of fresh water. Forests, scrublands and garrigue alternate and meet each other, giving landscapes of rare beauty. Evergreen forests of pines and holm oaks cover Montagna Grande and Monte Gibele, where in winter people go mushrooming. Fragrant and colorful shrubs, such as heather, myrtle, rosemary, thyme, give life to the Mediterranean scrub. Furthermore, cultivated plants characterize the anthropic landscape: vines, olive trees, capers, fruit trees. Next to the dammusi there is often a palm tree, brought by the Arabs in memory of their land. In spring or autumn you can get lost in one of the many paths on the island, and enjoy the colors and smells of the Pantelleria vegetation. If you prefer, you can participate in one of the many organized excursions.

Due to its volcanic nature, Pantelleria offers spectacular landscapes: high cliffs overlooking the sea, overhangs that hide stretches of coast and small coves with incredible colors, smooth and smooth rocks that slope gently into the sea. Forget the crowded sandy beaches, and enjoy the crystal clear waters, the emerald green and the cobalt blue, the charm of colorful and lively seabeds. The physical conformation of the island and the geographical position allow you to enjoy long days at the beach sheltered from the winds every day.

Perfectly integrated into the landscape of the island, the dammusi of Pantelleria were born as rural houses, and their construction has always taken into account the wind, heat, scarcity of rain and the richness of lava rocks. All the construction elements have a specific function: the domed roofs are used to collect rainwater and convey it into the cisterns; the thick walls guarantee insulation against the heat of summer and the cold of winter, together with the small size of doors and windows. Almost always next to a dammuso there is the Pantelleria garden, a circular construction in which there is a single fruit tree, usually a citrus fruit, protected from the island wind.