The Pontine Islands
The Pontine Islands, also known as Ponziane (named after the largest of the islands in the archipelago), are islands of volcanic origin located off the Gulf of Gaeta, in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The total area extends for 12 km2 and houses about 4,000 inhabitants and includes six of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean for their unspoilt nature that has preserved over time animal and plant species that are now extinct elsewhere.
Ventotene Island
Already known at the time of the ancient Greeks by the name Pandoteira, it was later used by the Romans above all as a place of exile. Giulia, daughter of Emperor Augustus, was confined to a sumptuous complex called Villa Giulia, of which only a few ruins can be admired. Many of the attractions are both scenic and historical.
Island of Santo Stefano
An island of volcanic origin characterised by steep cliffs that have always made it difficult to reach. Famous for the prison that Ferdinand IV of Bourbon built there in 1795 and which attracts many tourists every year.
Ponza Island
It is the largest of the Pontine Islands and also the most populated by tourists, especially in the summer months. There are many attractions of historical and artistic interest deriving from the Roman domination and the renovations of the Bourbon era. To all scuba divers, Ponza offers a unique experience: venturing into the waters of its crystal clear sea you can admire the underwater caves and all the wonders offered by the volcanic coast.
Island of Palmarola
The name derives from the dwarf palm, the only species of palm of European origin that grows spontaneously on this island that, thanks to the richness of its uncontaminated landscapes, is considered one of the most beautiful Natural Reserves of the Mediterranean. Famous for its caves carved into the rock, among the few houses on the island and gathered around Cala del Porto, Palmarola has a shape similar to that of the island of Ponza, with rocks and stacks including the Rock of San Silverio, dedicated to the patron saint of the island.
Zannone Island
An island of great naturalistic importance, which has seen over the centuries a scarce human presence and has thus been able to preserve intact many species of local flora and fauna. There nest several species of birds that make the island an ideal place for sightings of rare species. You can visit it, but not overnight.
Gavi Island
At just 120 metres from Ponza, it is an island without beaches that has beautiful cliffs overlooking the sea. A destination for the gull and peregrine falcon, it is a very interesting island for fans of Mediterranean flora and fauna, as well as for divers thanks to the fascinating seabeds of the island.