Ustica: Guide, Hotels, Map & Photos
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EUR 60 - 135 Ustica Hotel Residence
 With magnificent views over the coast and surrounding cliffs from the sun terrace, Ustica Hotel Residenceis set in a tranquil area near the harbour.
… MoreEUR 50 - 240 Sogni Nel Blu
 Sogni Nel Blu is located in the centre of the village of Ustica. It offers a sun deck with views of the sea and harbour, and a free boat trip around t… MoreEUR 50 - 160 Le Terrazze Residence Ustica
 Le Terrazze Residence is set in a panoramic location overlooking the sea, in the island of Ustica. It offers a panoramic terrace and air-conditioned s… MoreEUR 49 - 125 Hotel Clelia
 The hotel is situated in the historic centre, close to the main square of the Isle. It has been entirely renewed with ecological standards, which are … MoreEUR 35 - 90 Hotel Ariston
 Enjoy views over Ustica´s Cala Santa Maria Harbour from Hotel Ariston. Set right in the centre of town, this hotel offers simple, friendly accom… More | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ustica: Guide
Ustica is the name of a small island, about 9 kilometer|km across, situated 52 km north of Capo Gallo, Italy. Roughly 1,300 people live in the comune (municipality) of the same name.
There is regular ferry service from the island to Palermo, Italy|Palermo, Italy.
History
The island has been populated since about Romans renamed the island Ustica, Latin language|Latin for burnt, for its black rocks. The island is also known locally as the black pearl.
In the 6th century, a Benedictine community settled in the island, but was soon forced to move because of ongoing wars between Europeans and Arabs. Attempts to colonize the island in the Middle Ages failed because of raids by Barbary Coast|Barbary pirates.
In the mid-1700s, the island was settled by approximately 90 people from the island of Lipari, an island also located north of Sicily, but east of Ustica. They brought with them the patron saint of Lipari, San Bartolomeo, who became the patron saint of Ustica as well. In the mid- to late-1800s and early-1900s, as the population of the island grew too large, hundreds of Ustican families emigrated to the United States. Many of these families settled in New Orleans and surrounding areas, where there are today thousands of descendants whose ties remain strong to Ustica. A smaller number of families settled in San Jose and San Francisco, in New York, and in Massachusetts.
During the Fascist years in Italy and until the 1950s, Ustica was used as an island prison. The most famous political prisoner detained on the island was Antonio Gramsci.
The island became infamous on June 27, 1980, when Itavia Flight 870 crashed a short distance from the island, killing all 81 passengers and crew.
Environment
The island is characterized by reduced sources of water, and the vegetation is consequently scarce. The coast has numerous rocks and grottoes.
Ustica is home of the honeybee Apis mellifera sicula.
Tourism
Ustica is particularly known for scuba diving, with a number of diving schools established on the island. Recreational divers are attracted by the relatively deep dives, which are a feature of the islands volcanic geology.
External links
This "Travel Guide" section is drawn from the Wikipedia article "Ustica". We hope you will edit and improve it. It is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.