Coming to Sicily but not planning to visit Stromboli island? No way! Stromboli is one of the those places you cannot let pass you by without visiting. With its breathtaking landscape and the ‘streams of fire’ that light up the sky at night, Stromboli island offers an unforgettable experience.
The volcano, which is one of the most active in the world, erupts at least once an hour, but don’t worry, it is mainly to the uninhabited north east of the island that the eruptions take place. Stromboli faces the Tyrrhenian sea, marrying in just a few square kilometres the elements of water, fire and earth, leaving the tourist and local person alike spellbound by its wonderment.
The name comes from the Greek word ‘Στρογγύλη’ which means ‘round’, because of her form similar to that of a spinning top, in Sicilian known as a ‘strummulu’ or ‘iddu’. The surface of the volcano is not completely regular, because over time the volcano has covered over many other volcanoes, now hidden beneath.
At 926 metres above sea level, it reaches to a depth of between 1,300 and 2,400 metres. An old volcanic chimney created the little island of the Marina lighthouse.
The first historical references to Stromboli island can be traced back to Aristotle, and following that, in Latin, Roman and Greek mythology. The charm of the island has also made it the perfect location for a number of films including ‘Stromboli: Land of God’ by Roberto Rossellini, during the filming of which there was the blossoming of a new romance between the director and the protagonist and Oscar-winning actress Ingrid Bergman, both of whom were married at the time! The volcano was also a location for Jules Verne’s science fiction ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’.
Without a doubt, you’ve got to climb the volcano during the dark hours, when it is most enthralling. It takes about 3-4 hours to arrive at the summit. Or another way to enjoy the streams of fire – on board a boat, perhaps during a romantic dinner! If you have a bit more time however, we would recommend you rent a boat so you can go on and visit the other 6 islands of the archipelago.
Visiting Stromboli island does not only mean witnessing the amalgam of many elements in a condensed, small space, but also immerging yourselves in a completely unique environment, rich with history and legend.
