The Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy
The morning was spent traversing a remarkably calm sea as we made our way toward the famous Aeolian Islands lying to the north east of Sicily. This archipelago of seven small volcanic islands derives its name from the Greek god Aeolus, the master of both navigation and the winds. Two of our onboard historians expounded on the subjects of Atlantis and the Greeks in preparation for our site visits over the next couple of days and just before mid morning our first sightings of the characteristic cone shaped outlines of these offspring of Vulcan were made. Rising dramatically out of the sea one could not but be impressed by the pure physicality of the vista.
During lunch the ship arrived at Lipari, the largest of the islands. The main settlement is necklaced around its ancient citadel. Our afternoon was an eye widening engagement with this wondrous landscape as we were driven by coach around the island. This is a verdant, fertile landscape, despite the absence of water which has to be brought to the island by ship, with a dramatic backdrop of coastal scenery. We made a couple of photo stops which also afforded the opportunity to purchase some of the local produce from stall holders including fresh capers and olive oil. Also available were specimens of obsidian, a black volcanic glass which when knapped or flaked has an incredibly sharp edge. The Neolithic inhabitants on Lipari established a wide based trade in this material throughout the Mediterranean which was directly responsible for the growth of their settlements on the island. Extensive deposits of pumice are the basis for an economically important export trade for the island.
Back in the main center, we were taken to the local museum which houses one of the most impressive collections of Greek pottery and other ancient antiquities located in the grounds of the citadel overlooking the port. This defensive structure has its foundation back in the second century AD. Archaeological excavation has revealed its early beginnings although most of the extant battlements are medieval in date. The waters of the Aeolian Islands are a veritable ships graveyard. Case after case is packed with items retrieved from the seabed including amphora, anchors and a rich array of fine pottery items. A number of rooms contain reconstructed terracotta jar burials dating to the eleventh and twelfth centuries BC. The bodies were placed in a crouched position inside the large jars which were accompanied by a smaller pottery vessel which contained quantities of votive offerings and other grave goods.
While we were touring the island, the swimming platform had been put in place and many took the opportunity on returning to the ship to go for a well earned plunge. The evening meal was served on deck as we made our way towards the neighboring island of Stromboli, a still active volcano. Jules Verne in his scientific fantasy, "A Journey to the Centre of the Earth," had his three explorers return to the surface following their subterranean adventures during an eruption of Stromboli. Patient watching of the simmering glow on the top flank of one of the craters paid off. Two extremely impressive lava fountains streamed high into the air and were both a fitting farewell to these wondrous islands and a dramatic reminder of their fiery origin.
The morning was spent traversing a remarkably calm sea as we made our way toward the famous Aeolian Islands lying to the north east of Sicily. This archipelago of seven small volcanic islands derives its name from the Greek god Aeolus, the master of both navigation and the winds. Two of our onboard historians expounded on the subjects of Atlantis and the Greeks in preparation for our site visits over the next couple of days and just before mid morning our first sightings of the characteristic cone shaped outlines of these offspring of Vulcan were made. Rising dramatically out of the sea one could not but be impressed by the pure physicality of the vista.
During lunch the ship arrived at Lipari, the largest of the islands. The main settlement is necklaced around its ancient citadel. Our afternoon was an eye widening engagement with this wondrous landscape as we were driven by coach around the island. This is a verdant, fertile landscape, despite the absence of water which has to be brought to the island by ship, with a dramatic backdrop of coastal scenery. We made a couple of photo stops which also afforded the opportunity to purchase some of the local produce from stall holders including fresh capers and olive oil. Also available were specimens of obsidian, a black volcanic glass which when knapped or flaked has an incredibly sharp edge. The Neolithic inhabitants on Lipari established a wide based trade in this material throughout the Mediterranean which was directly responsible for the growth of their settlements on the island. Extensive deposits of pumice are the basis for an economically important export trade for the island.
Back in the main center, we were taken to the local museum which houses one of the most impressive collections of Greek pottery and other ancient antiquities located in the grounds of the citadel overlooking the port. This defensive structure has its foundation back in the second century AD. Archaeological excavation has revealed its early beginnings although most of the extant battlements are medieval in date. The waters of the Aeolian Islands are a veritable ships graveyard. Case after case is packed with items retrieved from the seabed including amphora, anchors and a rich array of fine pottery items. A number of rooms contain reconstructed terracotta jar burials dating to the eleventh and twelfth centuries BC. The bodies were placed in a crouched position inside the large jars which were accompanied by a smaller pottery vessel which contained quantities of votive offerings and other grave goods.
While we were touring the island, the swimming platform had been put in place and many took the opportunity on returning to the ship to go for a well earned plunge. The evening meal was served on deck as we made our way towards the neighboring island of Stromboli, a still active volcano. Jules Verne in his scientific fantasy, "A Journey to the Centre of the Earth," had his three explorers return to the surface following their subterranean adventures during an eruption of Stromboli. Patient watching of the simmering glow on the top flank of one of the craters paid off. Two extremely impressive lava fountains streamed high into the air and were both a fitting farewell to these wondrous islands and a dramatic reminder of their fiery origin.
