Of volcanic origin, the island of Linosa, with an area of just over 5 square kilometers, 3.4 kilometers long and 2.7 kilometers wide, was already known at the time of Plinio il Vecchio. However, even if up to 1839 we have sketchy news of the island, it is sure that being in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea it was certainly a refuge and a reference point for phoenician, saracen, roman and greek ships sailing the "Mare Nostrum". In 1845 the bourbon government decided to colonize Linosa issuing a public notice between the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies subjects in which it sought volunteers willing to move to the island by promising them the use of all cultivable land and an income of 3 daily tari for fifty years. Some families from Ustica, Pantelleria and Agrigento, joined and accompanied by the commander B. M. Sanvisente on the 25th of May 1845, landed on the island and began to live and perform the first construction work, such as a Church, erected shortly after the landing and before the new homes. From the first group of few dozen of people, thanks to marriages between the same members and people from the mainland, the population has gradually increased until it reached the current number of about 500 inhabitants.
LINOA S PROVINCIA REGIONALE AGRIGENTO ASSESSORATO AL TURISMO
The Regional District of Agrigento is pleased to present the territory through this pamphlet which will enable you to get first information. You can also ask for the pocket guide to get to know better the Province.
The Tourism Councillor Carmelo Pace
The Provincial Council President Prof. Eugenio D’Orsi
Those who choose to spend a holiday in Linosa, experience a completely different situation from the normal, chaotic holiday places. Here, from June to September, tourists cars are not allowed to land and the only transportation they can bring are bikes and motorcycles. Therefore, relaxing is a must. Linosa is a fascinating land to be discovered. The two main streets, where there are the few shops of the island and the post office, are Via re Umberto and Via Alfieri. The first runs from the old dock to the house of municipal administration. From here, the second street stretches towards the inner area of the island in the direction of Mount Vulcano.
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The inland excursions towards Mount Vulcano (195 m), Mount Rosso (186 m.), Mount Nero (107 m), Fossa del Cappellano and Faraglioni reveal the secrets of this territory. Do not miss the island tour by boat that starts from the old dock among dozens of lovely coves, enjoying the view of caves, narrow gorges and natural pools created by the flow of lava that embellish a wild and beautiful coastline. A holiday in Linosa will be like plunging into an absolutely different dimension from the usual rhythm of a busy life where everything is marked by a healthy and genuine relaxation. SEA RESCUE - 1530 RESERVE COAST GUARD - tel. 333.6846636 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE - Via Alfieri, 13 - tel. 0922.972115 CARABINIERI - Via Re Umberto - tel. 0922.972083 CHEMIST’S - Via Alfieri, 15 - tel. 0922.972203 MUNICIPAL DELEGATION - Piazza Salvo D’Acquisto - tel. 0922.972086 PROTECTED SEA AREA - Piazza Salvo D’Acquisto - tel. 0922.972504 TURTLES RECOVERY CENTRE - Via Pozzolana - tel. 0922.972076 SEA AGENCY - Via Re Umberto - tel 0922.972062 PELAGOS Dep. for the Promotion of Tourism and Environment - Via Re Umberto, 5 - tel. 333.6846636 BIKE AND SCOOTER RENTAL Mascari Noleggio - Via Re Umberto - tel. 347.1438815 – 0922.972051 Il Tedeschello - Via Re Umberto, 71 - tel. 339.8892727 – 0922.972110 Errera - Via Scalo Vecchio - tel. 0922.972041 - 0922.972082 Solemar - Via Locanda 9 - tel. 0922.972012 BOAT TOUR AND RENTAL Errera Stefano e Nino - tel. 0922.972063 Bonadonna Piero - tel. 0922.972077 Giovannino - tel. 338.6801754 Franceschino - tel. 349.6627369
DIVING CENTRE - Guided Suba-Diving, Scuba Diver Courses, Scuba Diving Equipment Rental. Mare Nostrum, via Re Umberto, 84 - tel. 0922 972042 - 328 1698697 (www.marenostrumdiving.it) Linosa Diving Center, via Scalo vecchio, 3 - tel. 0922.972054 (www.linosadivingcenter.it) RESTAURANTS / TRATTORIAS / PIZZERIAS / BAR Trattoria Pizzeria da ANNA - Via Vittorio Veneto - tel. 0922.972048 Ristorante ERRERA - Scalo Vecchio - tel. 0922.972041 Trattoria Pizzeria SERENA - Via Vittorio Veneto,15 - tel. 0922.972003 DAMMUSO Wine Bar - Via Re Umberto - tel. 0922.972195 BLACK PLANET Lounge Bar - Cala Pozzolana di Ponente - tel. 338.9198769 Bar del PORTO - Via Scalo Vecchio, 20 - tel. 338.9964831 Bar del CENTRO - Via Regina Elena, 3 - tel. 339.3816661 Bar LA CONCHIGLIA - Via Scalo Vecchio, 8 - tel. 0922.972095 HOTELS / CAMPING / BUNGALOWS LINOIKOS Hotel - Via V. Alfieri - tel. 0922.401810 B&B LA POSTA - - Via Alfieri - tel. 0922.972507 - 328.1584987 - 339.7410705 AETHUSA Bungalows - C.da Casotto - tel. 095.494165 LA GROTTA DEL MULINO Camping - Via Mulino - tel. 0922.972221
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ph. Roberto Palermo
With a population of 5.500 inhabitants, an area of 20.2 square km, a triangular shape developed in length (about 9.5 kilometers, compared with only 1.5 in width) and 26 km of total coast, Lampedusa is the largest island of the Pelagie archipelago and is the sixth largest among Sicilian islands. Romans and Arabs created a stable settlement on the island and this has been proved by the discovery of coins of that era, numerous greek ruins of shipwrecks on the bottom of the sea of Lampedusa, and the witness of substantial naval traffic around the island since 700 b.C. We learn more about the history of Lampedusa from 1430, when Alfonso V of Aragon, King of Naples, nicknamed "The Magnanimous" granted the rights and powers of the island to his valet, Giovanni De Caro of Montechiaro Bourbons said "Giovannello".
In 1551, a fleet under the command of Admiral Andrea Doria on the way back from Tunisia was surprised by a strong storm and after having lost most of his crew, sought refuge on Lampedusa. The crew, fascinated by the natural beauty of the island settled there and increased the number of inhabitants. Later on, over a long period, the island became uninhabited. In 1760 it was colonized by six french, then, after sixteen years, by a family of Malta but in 1780 a terrible plague struck the island making it uninhabitable again. In 1843, King Ferdinando II, king of the Two Sicilies, sent Captain Bernardo Sanvisente, and a group of 120 colonists (ninety men and thirty women), to take possession of the Pelagie on behalf of himself, with the title of governor, to establish an agricultural colony reclaiming all land available. Unfortunately, after a wicked deforestation and an indiscriminate extermination of wildlife on the island the appearance of Lampedusa began to change, starting the process of desertification that characterizes it today. However in 1872 the italian government intervened on Lampedusa and decided to convert it into a penal colony. Then, on the 2nd ofJune 1878 Lampedusa became an independent municipality with the fraction of Linosa and in 1911 was established the telegraph.
Overcome with many difficult periods of war, especially during the Second World War, the economic revival of the island started at the beginning of the 70s. For the natural beauty of the sites and for the clear and clean sea, the Pelagie had a steady increase in the flow and presence of tourists, in fact today tourism is considered the driving force of the local economy.
S LAMPEDU A
The sea of Lampedusa is extraordinary, a true paradise for those who love diving and fishing. Swimming in one of the many coves or off shore diving from a boat offers an indescribable feeling. You will be in direct contact with a marine life that is not afraid of human presence. The clear water will allow you to easily scan the seabed around the island admiring the submarine lush flora.
The beach of Guitgia, contains a whole series of charming coves: Cala Croce and Cala Madonna, Cala Greca and Cala Galera. As you pass the stretch where the coast is higher and surpasses the Bay of Tabaccara, you will arrive at the island of Conigli with its beautiful beach of the same name. A little further you will reach Cala Pulcino and the Vallone dell'Acqua. Passing Capo Ponente, we go back along the northern coastline of the island that offers an exceptional vision and guarantees suggestive photographs. If you are discrete swimmers, before crossing Punta Parise, we suggest you to swim accross the entrance of the cave, also called "Cave of the Lovers" (Grotta degli Innamorati) which provides access to the inside of a small and lovely sandy beach.