The Ponziane Islands

The Pontine Islands are a group of islands located in Lazio, off the coast of the Gulf of Gaeta and are part of the province of Latina. This archipelago is made up of Ponza, the largest island which gives its name to the archipelago, and Ventotene, which are the only two inhabited islands. Then there are Palmarola and the island of Zannone which are inhabited only in summer, while the island of Santo Stefano and the island of Gavi are uninhabited. Due to their environment and landscapes, the islands of this archipelago and, in particular, the island of Zannone, are part of the Circeo National Park.

Ponza is the largest and most famous of the islands of the archipelago, already inhabited since the Neolithic Age, was then occupied by the Phoenicians and colonized by the Greeks to finally become a colony of the Roman Empire. In fact, it is possible to find on the island remains of imperial villas dating back to the ancient Roman Empire, just as it is also possible to find 18th century Bourbon settlements. Yes, because Ponza was also part of the Bourbon kingdom. Here, at the end of the 1700s King Ferdinand of Bourbon started a series of works to improve the life of the Ponziani, by building the port, the Palazzo degli Uffici , where the Municipality of Ponza currently resides, but also the fortress and the prison. And he also built the inhabited center of the nearby island of Ventotene, with its port of Pozzillo. Being an island of volcanic origin, its coasts are high and jagged and enclose wonderful cliffs and caves, a real spectacle for all fans of scuba diving. Most Ponziane beaches can only be reached by sea, renting a boat at the port or taking advantage of the many tours that allow you to go around the island. In addition to the beaches, you can also see the beautiful caves that characterize the coast of the island, such as the Grotta di Ponzio Pilato , consisting of a series of tunnels dug at sea level and used to reach the Imperial Villa . Then there are the Blue Grotto or even the magical Grotta della Maga Circe . But there are some very nice beaches within walking distance. An example is the magical Chiaia di Luna , the beach that takes its name from the light of the cliff that protects it and from where you can admire a beautiful sunset. Then there is the notorious Spiaggia del Frontone , famous for its aperitifs at sunset and also for the presentation of the Ethnographic museum , which through numerous testimonies, tells the story and life of Ponza. Then there is the beach of Bagno Vecchio , which is located at the end of a Roman necropolis and which can be reached on foot from the port. Cala Feola is instead one of the few sandy beaches that opens onto beautiful natural pools. One of the most beautiful landscapes that you will see arriving in Ponza is certainly the port. The Bourbon Port of Ponza is a horseshoe that welcomes tourists with its colorful shops and the town hall in the center, which stands out for its yellow color. From the port, we advise you to go through the historic center until you reach the Borgo di Santa Maria which is very characteristic and a little less touristy. For those who love nature, we recommend the many walks that can be done along the paths that start from the port and take you to many places on the island, such as Ponte Guardia or Monte Fieno .

Ventotene is the second largest island of the Ponza archipelago and, together with Ponza, they are the only two inhabited islands. Even Ventotene was already known at the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans. In fact, it was here that the emperors sent the women of imperial families into exile who had committed adultery or organized conspiracies. But Ventotene remained uninhabited until, following the construction of the inhabited center by Ferdinando di Borbone, numerous settlers from Campania moved there. Furthermore, during Fascism, Ventotene returned to being a place of exile. Here, in fact, numerous anti-fascist personalities were sent into exile, which the regime did not welcome. But today Ventotene is a small pearl; spread over what was the tip of a submerged volcano, with beautiful coves, wild landscapes that have not yet been contaminated by mass tourism. The beaches and coves of Ventotene fall within the Marine Protected Area of the Ventotene islands and the opposite island of Santo Stefano . As well as for Ponza, the Ventotene beaches are mostly accessible by sea but those reachable on foot are still very beautiful. Let's talk about Cala Nave , the largest and most popular beach on the island which is located in a beautiful bay surrounded by a tuff crust; then there is Cala Rossano which is a small sandy beach a few steps from the harbor, more intimate and sheltered. Then there is Parata della Postina which is instead a suggestive pebble beach. Ventotene is the right place for a quiet holiday, immersed in the nature and beauty of its sea, in fact, many lovers of scuba diving come here to dive in the Marine Protected Area, where you can see moray eels, tonnes and groupers and, if you he is lucky, you could also catch dolphins and sperm whales. As mentioned earlier, Ventotene was the place where Roman emperors sent noblewomen into exile. In 2 BC, Julia, the eldest daughter of Emperor Augustus, was sent here to exile, as she was accused of adultery and treason. Today it is possible to visit the remains of what was once the Villa where Giulia lived. The villa stood on the promontory of Punta Eolo and was overlooking the sea. Among the remains, the thermal areas of the villa are clearly visible. Furthermore, visiting the Archaeological Historical Museum of Ventotene you will also see columns and marbles found in the villa. In Ventotene there are numerous finds related to the ancient Roman empire, such as the Roman Cisterns where rainwater was collected and also the Roman Peschiera which can be visited by swimming or, better yet, with scuba diving.

Palmarola is one of the uninhabited islands of the Ponziano Archipelago and to visit it, as there are no ports, it is possible to reach it only through the tours that start from Ponza, Terracina and San Felice al Circeo, or, by renting a boat in Ponza. Palmarola is the wildest of the islands, without houses and with a single restaurant, the famous O 'Francese . Its name is linked to the history of the Ponziano owner who, after moving to France, had melancholy of the places of his childhood and returned there, moving to the island of Palmarola where he built a wooden house and, giving hospitality to all those who passed by for a visit on the island, it became a restaurant. The restaurant is located on one of the beaches of Palmarola, the Maga Circe beach , where the Fendi sisters' villa is also located. Another beach on the island is Cala Brigantina , where pirates hid in the 18th century. All the beaches of Palmarola are pebbly, given the volcanic constitution. Palmarola is famous for its beautiful backdrops, in fact we recommend snorkelling. There is a point, known as the Cathedral , consisting of a series of caves that carve the cliff just as if it were a man-made cathedral, but in reality it is all about nature. Finally, for trekking lovers, we recommend that you follow the Path of San Silverio , a path that will take you to the top of the homonymous faraglione, dedicated to the patron saint of the island. At the top you will also find a niche dedicated to the Saint who according to legend, was imprisoned at this point.

The Island of Zannone is the fourth largest island in the Ponziano archipelago. Given the variety of its environment, Zannone is part of the Circeo National Park , since, being uninhabited, it hosts a large variety of Mediterranean vegetation. Zannone is the island on which the herring gull nests and is also found along the routes of some migratory birds. Zannone was once inhabited, mainly in the summer, by the Marquis Casati Stampa and his wife, who resided in a villa, famous for the luxurious evenings that the Marquises used to organize. Villa Casati Stampa , following the death of the two Marquises, was unfortunately abandoned, as well as abandoned is the Santo Spirito monastery where the Cistercian monks resided which, however, at the end of the thirteenth century, due to pirate raids, was abandoned. If you arrive in Zannone through one of the tours that leave from Ponza, organized by the Cooperativa Barcaioli Ponzesi, you can take a nice walk, surrounded by nature, and take advantage of the path that starts from the Var , the natural port of the island, to do some of trekking, up to the monastery and then to the lighthouse of the island.

The island of Santo Stefano is a small island located 2 km from Ventotene, in fact, being uninhabited, it is possible to visit it only through organized tours that leave from the port of Ventotene. Santo Stefano is famous for the presence of the disused and abandoned prison , which was built here at the behest of King Ferdinand of Bourbon. During Fascism, important anti-fascist personalities were imprisoned here, such as, for example, Sandro Pertini. The prison is the only structure on the island. The island is part of the State Natural Reserves, while its waters are part of the protected marine natural arena of Santo Stefano and Ventotene.

The Island of Gavi is the smallest of the Ponziane Islands. It is located 120 meters, as the crow flies, from Ponza, very close to Punta d'Incenso. Gavi can only be reached by private boats or through tours that leave from the Ponza port, which will allow you to take a dip in the waters around the island or go snorkeling. Gavi, in fact, is uninhabited and, furthermore, having no natural harbors and beaches, it is difficult to reach it. With organized tours you can go around the island and discover the caves that hide among its wonderful coves.

Ponza is the place of Ponzian nightlife. In fact, while Ventotene is more wild and peaceful, having fun in Ponza is a must. After spending a day on a boat or on the beach, at sunset the lights of the rooms where you can have an aperitif turn on and to do so you don't have to move as much, as on the beaches of the island, in particular at Spiaggia del Frontone, there are many lounges Cafe. Just the Sporting Club of the Frontone beach is the most famous lounge bar on the island, where every afternoon, from 6 pm, young people on vacation on the island go to have a cocktail and listen to good music. Inside the Grand Hotel Domitilla there is the Melograno Pool Aperitif an exclusive lounge bar by the pool. As for the discos, we recommend the Mamafè and O 'Sarracino, which is instead located in an old fishermen's deposit, inside the Bourbon port. If you are a couple and you are looking for a restaurant, for a romantic dinner, we recommend the Bellavista restaurant, with a beautiful terrace overlooking the blue sea or Acqua Pazza which is a restaurant awarded with a Michelin star to go for special occasions. If one day it happens that you don't feel like going to the beach, we recommend you to visit the Ponza botanical garden or the ethnographic museum where many objects, clothing and photos of the inhabitants of the island are kept. It is also a suitable place for a family visit with children.

Climate : Being of the islands, the best time to visit the Ponziano archipelago is certainly between May and September, when the days are warmer and it is also possible to go to the beach to be able to take a bath. Certainly in August there will be more crowds as most people choose August to go on vacation and therefore there will be many more people on the beaches and in restaurants. However, unlike many other islands, those of the Ponziano archipelago are never overcrowded, thanks also to the fact that many of them are uninhabited and therefore only reached by boat holidaymakers who at the end of the day return to the port of Terracina, Formia or San Felice al Circeo.

Curiosity: The curiosities related to the Ponziane Islands are many. For example, as already mentioned, Zannone was famous in the past because in the only villa on the island, belonging to the Marquis Casati Stampa, red light parties were held during which the Marquis loved to see his wife in intimacy with other men. Instead, you know that in the waters of Ponza, for all diving enthusiasts, it is possible to see the wreck of the "Landing Ship Tank", a ship that, during the Second World War, was used for the transport of heavy vehicles and which is it was sunk in 1943. Finally, do you know where the name of the island of Palmarola comes from? Palmarola owes its name to the dwarf palm, the otherwise known San Pietro palm, present in large quantities on the Ponzian island.

Tips : When you arrive in Ponza or Ventotene we advise you to rent a scooter as it is impossible to board the car on the ferry if you are not a resident and, moreover, the streets of the Ponzian islands are very narrow, so it is easier to move by motorbike or by bicycle.