Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
STROMBOLI FACTS
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Stromboli is Europe's only permanently active volcano and is the youngest in the Aeolian archipelago.
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The island has been inhabited since Neolithic times but the volcano has never destroyed Stromboli town.
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Stromboli was used to control important trade routes in the Tyrrhenian Sea, as it overlooks the other Aeolian Is-
lands, the Italian mainland and the Straits of Messina. Because of this and its exploding crater, it was known as
the 'Lighthouse of the Mediterranean'.
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The pinnacle of rock known as Strombolicchio, which can be seen just off the coast near Ficogrande, is the
remnant of the original volcano that collapsed into the sea. Strombolicchio is what is left of the central cylinder
(the neck) of the volcano, in which the lava solidified.
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The word '
sciara
' comes from the Arabic sharia (meaning 'street'), thus the Sciara del Fuoco is a 'Street of
Fire'.
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On 30 December 2002, landslides caused by volcanic activity provoked two tidal waves between 5m and 10m
high. Stromboli town and Ginostra were both hit.
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The 2002-2003 eruptions increased the crater size from 35m to 125m.
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The 2007 eruption opened two new craters on the summit.
Stromboli Crater
OFFLINE MAP
VOLCANO
For nature lovers, climbing Stromboli is one of Sicily's not-to-be-missed experiences.
Since 2005 access has been strictly regulat ed: you can walk freely to 400m, but need a
guide to continue any higher. Organised treks depart daily (between 3.30pm and 6pm, de-
pending on season), timed to reach the summit (924m) at sunset and to allow 45 minutes
to observe the crater's fireworks.
