Salina, Sicily

The island of Salina, with its neighboring islands of Lipari, Vulcano, Filicudi, Alicudi, Panarea and Stromboli to the Aeolian Islands, which lie in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the north coast of Sicily.

On Salina are the three communities of Santa Marina Salina, Malfa and Leni who belong to the province of Messina to the Italian region of Sicily.

Geography

Salina is located northwest of the main island of Lipari. It is 26.8 km ², the second largest of the Aeolian Islands and also of volcanic origin. The appearance of the island shape the twin volcanoes Monte Fossa delle Felci ( 962 m) and Monte dei Porri (860 m).

In contrast to the other islands of the archipelago Salina has a source of fresh water and is thus rich in vegetation. Since 1983 is up to the immediate vicinity of the places and a narrow coastal strip in the north- east the whole island under protection.

On the north coast the community Malfa (937 inhabitants, as of 31 December 2009) with the places Malfa and Pollara. On the east coast, the village of Santa Marina Salina ( 885 inhabitants) with the towns of Santa Marina Salina and Lingua, on the south coast the community Leni ( 678 inhabitants) with the towns of Leni and Rinella.

The ferry port of the island is located in Santa Marina Salina, another ship landing there in Rinella.

History

Salina was how Finds, already inhabited during the Bronze Age. The Greek name of the island Didyme ( Δίδυμη = twin ) was derived from the two volcanoes that dominate the landscape. The Latin name Salina ( saline ) dates from the time of Roman rule, as there were large salt lakes in the southeast of the island.

Since 1867 Salina is independent of the municipality of Lipari.

Economy

The main economic activities are agriculture, the cultivation of the vine variety Malvasia di Lipari, from the typical Malvasia delle Lipari for the region is produced, and the capers harvest. Together with the Sicilian island of Pantelleria, Salina provides 95 % of Italian capers harvest. In the summer, tourism is another important source of income of the inhabitants.

Culture

The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Terzito is the oldest Marian shrine of the archipelago. It stands on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple, was built in 1622 and thoroughly renovated from 1901. At the commemoration of the Madonna solemn processions take place.

Since 1991, the community Malfa held on the first weekend in June, the Sagra del cappero, the capers festival, is carried at the original costumes and celebrated in traditional music.

1984, the Taviani brothers turned to Salina the film Kaos. 1994 turned Michael Radford Pollara in the film The Postman, which was a huge success worldwide and has won 18 film awards.

Stratovolcano Monte dei Porri

Church in Santa Marina Salina