- General information
- Interesting facts about Stromboli
- Stromboli for tourists
- How to get to Stromboli
The volcano Stromboli (its height above sea level is 926 m) occupies the territory of Italy, is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea (north of Sicily) and belongs to the Aeolian Islands group.
General information
Before the appearance of Stromboli, 200 thousand years ago, a little to the north there was an active underwater volcano (it eventually died out and underwent erosion), and the island itself appeared 160 thousand years ago. Today Stromboli is a volcanic island. Over the past 20 thousand years, it has been constantly in an active state - small eruptions are observed on average every 15-20 minutes (large eruptions also happen - for example, in 2002, an eruption led to the need to evacuate residents and close the island for tourists for a long time). As a result, there is a short burst of ash and gas, as well as volcanic bombs to a height of 20-150 meters (the outflow of lava is rare).
Stromboli has three active craters, two of which were formed in 2007 (the last time a major eruption occurred in 2009), and its volcanic emissions fall into the “stream of fire” (Sciara del Fuoco).
Interesting facts about Stromboli
Stromboli has a nickname - "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean". This is due to the fact that Stromboli often “spits” at night with white clouds (gas without ash), which are illuminated by lava from below, so that they can be seen at long distances.
Some identify Stromboli as the island mentioned in Homer's Odyssey as the home of Aeolus (Lord of the Winds).
The volcanic island even “has” its own perfume - the perfume house Mendittorosa dedicated the fragrance Id to it. The creators explain this by the fact that this name is an abbreviation for Iddu (this is what the local population calls Stromboli).
The Sicilians came up with a recipe for a closed pie "Stromboli": it is prepared with different fillings, but mozzarella cheese is an important ingredient. Before baking, the pie must be pierced so that the cheese can “erupt” like the eponymous volcano.
The volcano “lit up” in literature: it was through the Stromboli crater that the heroes of Jules Verne (“Journey to the Center of the Earth”) returned from their underground wanderings to the terrestrial world.
Stromboli for tourists
The island of Stromboli, as well as the volcanic rock of Strombolikchio (this is the remnant of an ancient volcano; its height is 49 m above sea level), are tourist sites that attract numerous travelers. It is worth noting that at the top of the Strombolikchio cliff, tourists will find a lighthouse - a stone staircase with 200 steps leads there.
At the foot of the volcano, if you wish, you can soak up the beach covered with black lava sand, or get acquainted with the underwater life of the island (for this you will have to put on a scuba diver's costume).
Climbing Stromboli will take about 3-4 hours along with the descent (as a rule, the ascent starts at 16:30; the best time to visit is April-October). The path goes along a rocky path covered with ash, although it is not accessible for independent travelers (unauthorized ascent is punishable by a fine of 200 euros). There are several routes to Stromboli: one trail is used for ascent, the other for descent (the return journey takes less time and follows a trail strewn with soft volcanic rocks), and the third is a spare.
It is worth noting that according to the law, visitors can stay upstairs for no more than an hour. During this time, they will be able to stand on the edge of the crater and observe the activity of the volcano (observation is not fraught with danger, since almost all volcanic bombs fall back into the crater). You should take water and a windbreaker with you (in case it rains). Important: on days when the volcano can threaten the safety of tourists, the road to the crater is blocked, but in this case travelers will not be left without "spectacles" - they will be able to admire the "fiery fireworks" from the sea.
Information on prices: guide service and a special safety helmet cost 40 euros / adults and 25 euros / children (a guide can be hired from Magmatrek or another tourist office); if you wish, you can rent a headlamp (€ 3) and high trekking boots (€ 6).
Tourists are interested not only in climbing Stromboli, but also in the opportunity to take a boat trip around the island, which will allow you to explore it from all sides.
How to get to Stromboli
Ferries and tourist boats from Naples go to the island. Another option is to get to Stromboli from the Sicilian Milazzo (the final stop at the port of Stromboli-Paese).
If you decide to stay in Stromboli for a few days, then here you will encounter a shortage of accommodation: only in the towns of Ginostra and San Vincenzo you will be able to stay in one of 2 hotels (in “Ossidiana Stromboli” prices start from 49 euros, and in “Villaggio Stromboli”- from 99 euros). If there are no available rooms there, the neighboring islands can help you out, where the choice of hotels is not so scarce (there are 8 in Panarea, in Vulcano - 10, and in Lipari - more than 30 hotels).
