Ustica, Protected marine reserve in Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy.
Ustica is a small volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the northern coast of Sicily with black lava rocks and dense green scrub. Along the coast shallow coves alternate with steep cliffs where many caves open up.
Bronze Age settlers built a fortified village with several hundred stone houses on the north side of the island in the 14th century BC. Later Phoenician and Roman seafarers used the harbor as a stopover on their routes through the western Mediterranean.
The house fronts in the village center display large murals painted by artists from around the world. Along the narrow lanes you smell dried fish and fresh bread from the small bakeries.
Ferry connections to Palermo run year-round, with extra boats departing several times daily in summer. The paths around the island are suitable for walking, sturdy shoes are advisable because of the volcanic rocks.
Since 1986 the first marine reserve in Italy protects the waters around the island in six zones with different access rules. Divers find ancient amphorae and anchors from Roman times on the seabed in the shallow bays.
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