Filicudi

Filicudi is one of the eight islands that make up the Aeolian archipelago, situated 20-30 miles northeast of the island of Sicily. It is a "frazione" of the "comune" of Lipari.

Geography

Its total area is 9.5 square kilometers. There are several small villages on the island, which include Pecorini Mare and Valdichiesa. Filicudi's lands are capable of producing wine, olive oil, grain, and vegetables. In 1997, three quarters ( 7 km² ) of Filicudi was turned into a Natural Reserve.

The highest point is Monte Fossa Felci (774 m). Other points include "Monte Montagnola" (349 m) and "Monte Terrione" (278 m). At Capo Graziano are the remains of a Bronze Age village dating back to the eighth century B.C. Off the coast, the volcanic finger-like rock of La Canna (74 m) rises from the sea.

History

The modern name of "Filicudi" is a corruption of the ancient Greek name for the island, "Phoenicusa" (Phoenician island ). The island, like the other Aeolian Islands, was settled since the Neolithic Age, around 3,000 BC. As evidenced by archaeological findings, the island was occupied by a new people during the Bronze Age. The island was uninhabited for many centuries until occupied by the Greeks. Roman and Byzantine remains can also be found on the island.

ee also

*List of volcanoes in Italy

External links

* [http://www.regione.sicilia.it/turismo/web_turismo/uk/localita/ME/eolie/filicudi/homepage.html The Official WebSite]
* [http://www.regione.sicilia.it/turismo/web_turismo/sicilia/uk/localita/comune_index.asp?id=236 Another official website (not much info, though]
* [http://www.filicudi.it/indexit.htm A commercial touristic website about Filicudi]
* [http://rozzo.tripod.com/filicudi.htm Info about the island]
* [http://www.filicudi.it/pics/filicudimap.gifMap of the Island]
* [http://www.filicudi.org/ Filicudi Society of Waltham Massachusetts]