Panarea (Messina Province) is an island, the smallest in the Aeolian archipelago (area 3.4 sq km, pop. 317), is also one of the most attractive, because of its unspoiled natural beauty and the interesting evidence of ancient civilizations. It is 64. 25 km from Messina; the highest point (Pizzo del Corvo) is 421 m in altitude. Post-code 98050, tel. 090. Economy: fishing, tourism.
The island, once called Euonymos, was inhabited in the Neolithic Age, as proved by archaeological discoveries. It continued to be inhabited in the Bronze Age: traces of a village dating from the early Bronze Age have been found at Piano Quartara, and a hut-village, dating from 1400-1270 BC, has been discovered at Punta Milazzese, which is a headland of great charm, near a Homeric landing-place of extraordinary beauty. Elsewhere on the island traces have been found of the Capo Graziano culture (see Filicudi), dating from the 18th or possibly the 17th century to 1400 BC.
Panarea is circled by a series of islets, little more than isolated rocks (Bottaro, Lisca Nera, Panarello), while Basiluzzo, Lisca Bianca and Battilo are a little bigger. The coastline is high and jagged, with high cliffs dropping sheer into the sea.
Vines, olive-trees and wheat are cultivated on the slopes of Pizzo del Corvo.
There are three villages: Drauto, Iditella and San Pietro, characterized by white cottages with low walls and courtyards, the typical houses in the Aeolian Islands.
Mud and hot water baths for therapeutic purposes are available also on Panarea. It is very interesting to sail round the island and to visit the other islets. A path runs almost all the way round the coast, allowing the visitor to come into close contact with nature.
The islet of Basiluzzo is of great archaeological interest. The ruinds of Roman houses in opus reticulatum have been discovered here, together with mosaics.
Links to other sites about Panarea include:
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