The Experience
Ustica is the summit of an ancient volcano rising from the sea. Italy's first Marine Protected Area was created here, and the land is also a nature reserve.
One only needs to look at the dark rocks, cones, and lava flows to understand that the island is born of fire: it is what remains above sea level of a volcano extinct for tens of thousands of years. Since 1986, the surrounding waters have been a Marine Protected Area—the first established in Italy—divided into zones with varying levels of protection. Since 1997, the upper part of the island has also been a Nature Reserve: Mediterranean scrub, cultivated fields, and plants found only here, such as a diminutive cliff sea-lavender. In spring and autumn, Ustica is a vital stopover for migratory birds crossing the Tyrrhenian Sea. Protecting all of this is a shared effort between those who live here and those who visit.
Highlights
- Italy's first Marine Protected Area
- Nature Reserve
- Volcanic landscape
- Stopover for migratory birds