Filicudi (Messina Province) is the ancient name was Phoenicusa, referring to the numerous ferns all over the island. It is 93.75 km from Messina, its area is 9.5 sq km, and its highest point is 774 m above sea level. There are 233 inhabitants, in three villages: Val di chiesa, where there is the Chiesa di Santo Stefano, Pecorini and Porto. Pop. 301, Post-code 98050, tel. 090. Economy: fishing, tourism. See Aeolian Islands.
The island is oval in shape, and terminates in the little peninsula of Capo Graziano; its origin is volcanic, like Alicudi, but all volcanic activity has now ceased.
The three peaks of the island are the Fossa dei Felci (Pit of the Ferns), the highest, the Montagnola and Terrione, which are extinct volcanoes. The rest of the island is also mountainous, so that the coastline is high and jagged, with cliffs and rocky spurs dropping sheer into the sea. The views are very picturesque and there is much to admire if we sail around the island. There are numerous grottoes to visit: The Maccatore and Perciato grottoes, and the most famous, the grotta del Bue marino (Grotto of the Sea Ox), which is reached through a wide opening; it is an enchanting place, because of the phenomena of light refraction, the play of the water, and the great peace that can be enjoyed here.
The little Capo Graziano peninsula, besides its natural beatuy, offers the visitor interesting evidence of past civilizations. A Bronze Age village has been brought to light here.
The sea surrounding the island presensts numerous isolated rocks of great natural beauty and fascination tower out of the water: Mitra, Notaro, Montenossari, and the highest of the all, la Canna, which rises stepply up to its peak at a height of 71 m.
Churches (Messina Diocese) include the following:
Links to other sites about Filicudi include:
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