5 things to see on the Island of Pantelleria

In the heart of the Mediterranean, suspended between Trapani and Tunisia, lies the island of Pantelleria, the largest of the islands off the coast of Sicily. When the Arabs landed there in the 8th century, they christened it Bent-el-Riah (daughter of the wind) for the winds that blow there all year round. Today, however, it is mainly VIPs who land there, and it is not difficult to understand why: it is a magical, fascinating island with countless leisure opportunities and extraordinary places to visit. Its 80 kilometres of surface will hold many pleasant surprises in store for you!

What to see on the Island of Pantelleria? Here are 5 things not to be missed!

The Barbacane Castle

The Barbacane Castle, located in the centre of Pantelleria, is the island’s main architectural monument and one of the few buildings to have survived the bombing of World War II. Dating back to Byzantine or Arab times, it was built entirely of lava stone and consists of four floors, one of which is almost completely underground. Until 1975 it was used as a prison. In recent years, it has undergone extensive building restoration to adapt the structure to the needs of modern public use. Today it hosts various cultural events.

The Mirror Lake of Venus

The Mirror Lake of Venus is one of the most enchanting places the island has to offer. It owes its name to an ancient legend, according to which Venus herself ran to be reflected in its waters. It is a small lake basin fed by thermal waters. Along the southern shore are a number of thermal springs and mud pools that bubble to the surface at temperatures varying between 40 and 50 degrees. For a beauty treatment, immerse yourself in the warm waters for a few minutes, then get out of the water, smear yourself with mud, wait for it to dry out and finally immerse yourself in the water again to rinse off. On the other side of the lake it is possible to sunbathe on the beach and take an ordinary bath.

The Cave of Benikulà

The Grotta di Benikulà, also known as the dry bath, is a real natural sauna, used since antiquity for its therapeutic properties (analysed and verified by the University of Palermo). It is located along the ridge of the Montagna Grande and is divided into two parts: an external one with stone seats where there is room for 5/6 people; and an internal one, into which water vapour intermittently escapes at a temperature of around 40 degrees. The site can be reached via a path that winds through the Mediterranean maquis. Don’t forget to bring your swimming costume, a pair of slippers and a towel.

The Sesi Archaeological Park

Located on the north-western coast of Pantelleria, the Sesi Archaeological Park preserves the remains of several megalithic constructions, similar to the Sardinian Nuraghi, called sesi. These are burial monuments in the shape of a truncated cone surmounted by a dome erected around 5000 years ago by a people possibly from North Africa. Of the numerous sesi that have come down to us, only one has remained intact: the Sese Grande or Sese del Re. More than five metres high, it consists of twelve cells, all located in the centre of the building, and twelve corridors, up to seven metres long. Four sarcophagi were found inside the cells.

The Volcanological Museum

Finally, the Museo Vulcanologico (Volcanology Museum), dedicated to the main force of nature that has shaped the island’s appearance, the volcano and its associated geothermal energy, is also well worth a visit. It is located at Punta Spadillo, close to numerous hiking trails. It was built by recovering the ruins of one of the many military structures from World War II. The exhibition itinerary is divided into three rooms, where about 50 rock samples representative of Pantelleria’s eruptive and petrographic variety are displayed, as well as many in-depth panels on the island’s volcanological history, the various nature tourism opportunities it offers and biodiversity.