Ustica, located 70 km to the North of Palermo, is the emerged peak of an underwater volcano, Mount Anchises, 2000 meters high, born a million years ago. The island is therefore an outdoors volcanological museum. The ancient geographers and historians called the island Ustica, that "the wreck of an extinct volcano" (Ustum = burned). For the Ancient Greeks, however, it was Osteodes = "ossuary or bone island" because of human remains of a Carthaginian deportation of mercenary soldiers, mutineers who died on the island of hunger and thirst. Or, according to mythology, the bones belonged to the unfortunate sailors who remained enchanted and bewitched by the melodious voice of sirens sitting on the rocks overlooking the sea and shipwrecked crashing against the jagged rocks. But "The Island of Bones" also refers to the identification, by some researchers, of Ustica with the island of Eéa, the lonely dwelling of the powerful sorceress Circe, who turned into animals all the sailors who dared to approach her.
Very interesting are the numerous archaeological sites. The first human Prehistoric hutsettlement dates back to the Paleolithic era. Important excavations have revealed the early Christian Village of Faraglioni and dozens of huts dating from the Middle Bronze Age (1450-1250 BC). At Falconiera there is a large Roman necropolis with graves and tombs. To the Archaeological Museum Remains you can visit remains of Roman farms and a multitude of artefacts found in various parts of the island and underwater. Strategic point for trade and commerce, Ustica saw the passage of Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans. It was the basis of Saracen raids and only at the time of Ferdinand IV, King of the Two Sicilies, it was decided to raise a series of fortifications around the island to allow the settlers to work safely. The Bourbons built two watchtowers, and in 1759 Ferdinand of Bourbon imposed a progressive colonization creating the conditions for the development of a small and stable community, which now has about 1,300 inhabitants. But Ustica was also a land of exile: the Bourbons there confined the political prisoners, as did the rest of the House of Savoy and the fascists. Also Gramsci, Parri, Rosselli and Romita stayed there. Then in 1961, due to popular uprisings, confinement was abolished and replaced with the more profitable and qualifying tourism.
Walking through the streets of the island it is an extremely fascinating experience, thanks to the gallery of murals that decorate the facades of the houses, to the sensations and smells that back to the past during the walk along the houses, which exhibite typical products with rare forgotten flavors. Apart from the good fish and flavors of Sicilian cuisine offered by the restaurant menues, do not miss the small and typical lentils, characterized by a very particular taste. In the evening, in the central square, you must taste the granita, the Sicilian cassata and cannoli and peerless cassatelle and giggi, traditional and exclusive sweets of the island.
The beauty of the seabed and unspoilt terrestrial nature, despite the minimum Diving in Usticadistance that separates Ustica from Palermo, make it almost a faraway land, suspended in time and space and very charming. The exceptional clarity of its waters allow everyone, with mask and fins, to enjoy its underwater treasures. The seabed, decorated with branches of corals, sponges and colorful vegetation, are set among shallows and fascinating caves, and populated by every typical specie of the Mediterranean Sea for which Ustica, Marine Reserve since 1986, is the ideal habitat. The particular morphology of the seabed of the island allows divers of all abilities a great variety of diving. It is a unique experience to dive in these beautiful waters. Already in the first few meters below the sea surface you may encounter large groupers, sea bream, sea urchins, numerous shoals of barracuda and shrimps and see spectacular play of light, shadows and colors. There are more than thirty diving routes you can enjoy Ustica’s sea, and in particular those of the "Rock of Doctor", the "Secca della Colombara", the "Cave of the Shrimps" and the "Sicchitello" made known the island as the "Paradise of Divers".
The integrity of the seabed and the beauty of the area make Ustica an island of great natural interest. The two reserves that protect it, the ProtectedMarine Area, established in 1986, and the Terrestrial Natural Reserve, established in 1997, promote healthy enjoyment of the island above and below the sea.
Zone C: It is allowed all forms of fishing except underwater fishing.
Is to following the underwater archaeological itinerary, the first in the world, Ustica terrestrial reservecould offer a unique experience. At a depth between 10 and 25 meters, an Ariadne's thread guides visitors directly at the sites of discovery of the relics, ancient amphorae, anchors, ect.
Terrestrial Natural Reserve - Marked footpaths facilitate the exploration of the island. Walking along the paths surrounded by the green of woods, along the paths of the coast, on foot or by donkey, on the edge of a cliff or on the gentle slopes of lava, picking a caper flower, observing numerous species of migratory birds: It is an experience full of charm and mystery which arouses very intense sensorial emotions.