Ustica

Ustica has a surface area of 8.1 km² and has about 1300 inhabitants. Administratively it is part of the province of Palermo on Sicily. The island was created as a result of undersea volcanic eruptions, the last eruption being about 150,000 years ago, and is an open air museum for lovers of vulcanology.
The slow and steady impact of the sea on the coast has shaped irregularly inlets, coves and caves. In 1986 the area around the island was proclaimed as a marine reserve (Italian: Area Marina Protetta Isola di Ustica) to protect the rich marine flora and fauna. The rugged coast; the deep, very clear waters; the presence of a large variety of fish all make the island very attractive for diving. That’s the main reason that thousands of tourists visit this island every year.

History

The first human settlements date back to the Palaeolithic era. Graves, tunnels and underwater archaeological findings indicate a constant presence of several ancient Mediterranean peoples, like Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans. For a long time Ustica was the base of Saracen pirates. In the sixth century a Benedictine community settled on the island but was soon forced to move by frequent looting and the threat of war between Christians and Muslims. In the Middle Ages, because of the raids of Barbary pirates who made the island their shelter, attempts to colonize the island failed. In 1759 Ferdinand IV of Bourbon finally colonized the island. Ustica was a place of exile for political prisoners and remained so until the reign of the House of Savoy. During the fascist regime in the early 20th century, Ustica became a place of exile again. In 1961 this system was abolished and subsequently the island's tourism potential has been gradually realised.

Flora and fauna

On land, water is scarce. There is little arable land in the old fields that are surrounded by hedges of prickly pears. There are vineyards and olive, almond and fruit trees. The uncultivated vegetation consists of wormwood (Artemisia arborea), mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus) and gorse (Ginestra). Swallows are very common, and there are quail, doves, woodcocks, thrushes and larks. More rarely, cranes and plovers can be seen. The honeybee (Apis mellifera) common.

Climate

There is an annual average of 505 mm of precipitation with a minimum in summer and a peak in the autumn-winter. The average annual relative humidity is 78.2% with a minimum of 74% in July and a maximum of 82% in January. On average there are 18 foggy days per year. The table below summarizes the average monthly temperatures.

By boat

• Siremar sails three times a day from Palermo to Ustica; one ferry per day includes cars. The crossing takes 75 minutes and 135 minutes by car ferry. Price €23 p.p. and €18 p.p. by car ferry.
• Liberty Lines sails from Naples during the summer months of July and August with a weekly hovercraft connection to Ustica. Departures every Saturday at 15:00. The one way trip takes 4 hours for €78 p.p.

The island's public transport consists of one minibus. More information can be found on the website of the municipality of Ustica (only in Italian language).

• Museo Archeologico Torre di Santa Maria – This archaeological museum is housed in the fortress tower Torre di Santa Maria and shows findings from ancient settlements.
• Museo Archeologico Case Carabozzello Fosso – This archaeological museum is located in Largo Gran Guardia, a former prison for political prisoners. The museum shows archaeological findings of the prehistoric village Faraglione (1300-1200 BC).
• Tramontana – Near the village of Ustica you can visit the remains of the prehistoric village Tramontana.

• Stroll round the village and take a walk across the island. The town has small and narrow alleys which direct to the central square Piazza Umbero I which is dominated by the S.Ferdinando Re church. In the summer it can be very crowded here.
• Rent a scooter and take a lap around the island
• Diving and snorkeling, individually or organized:

• Barracuda Diving Center

• Mister Jumpy Diving Center

  address: Via Vittorio Emanuele III

• Scubaland Diving

  address: Via C. Colombo

• Ustica Diving Center

  phone: +393358210017
  address: Piazza Umberto I
  This dive center is the only one in the island run by a local guy. All the rental equipment is from Scubapro. Ustica Diving Center offers all PADI courses and specialties such as nitrox and deep. All the PADI courses are available in Italian, English, Spanish and French.

• Lustrica Diving

  phone: +393393331870
  address: Banchina Barresi
  Diving center run by qualified and certified instructors. It offers rental equipment and PADI courses and specialities.

• Lenticchie - Lentils from local organic farms.
• Nasse - Handmade fishing traps.

• Ristorante " Da Umberto" , piazza della Vittoria , 7 + 39 091 8449542 . traditional and organic sicilian food ( only in summer )

• Le Specialità di Maria Cristina

  phone: +39 018 449 001
  address: v. Petriera
  local gastronomy

• L'Isolotto

  phone: +39 0918 449 112
  address: v. Petriera
  Traditional restaurant and pizzeria.

• Ristorante Diana

  phone: +39 0918 449 109
  address: Contrada San Paolo
  Large terrace with sea views.

• Discoteche Il Faraglione

  phone: +39 916 841 020
  address: Via Pio la Torre

• Bar Carpe Diem

  phone: +39 383 133 221
  address: Largo Padiglione

• Bar Centrale

  phone: +39 918 449 471
  address: P. Umberto I

• Kiki's Lounge Bar

  phone: +39 394 294 532
  address: Via C. Colombo

• Ustica Tour houses and villas , piazza Umberto, 1, + 39 338 92 68346 info@usticatour.it

• Gulia

  phone: +39 918 449 007
  address: Via San Francesco, 16
  Hotel.

• Stella Marina

  phone: +39 918 448 121
  address: Via Cristoforo Colombo n.33
  Residence.

• Casa Terranova

  phone: +39 916 194 546
  address: Strada del Bosco
  Bed & breakfast.

• Villaggio Punta Spalmatore

  phone: +39 918 449 388
  address: Punta Spalmatore
  Casa Vacanze.

• La Cernia Bruna Case Vacanza

  phone: +39 0918449060
  address: C.da Petriera 16
  Different kind of accommodations available,some in town and some in the beautiful countryside. The apartments are for 2 or 4 people. In the apartments you can find comforts such as aircon, an equipped kitchen, bed linen and so on.

• Ustica Service

  address: v. C. Colombo

• Guardia Medica

  address: Largo Gran Guardia

• Carabinieri Stazione

  address: Via Petriera

• General Alarm

  phone: 112

• Police

  phone: 113

• Fire Department

  phone: 115