Introducing Isole Pontine
Although not exactly a secret, this group of small islands between Rome and Naples is largely overlooked by international tourists. Things are changing, however, and increasing numbers of foreigners are joining the hordes of Italian visitors who holiday on Ponza and Ventotene – the only two inhabited islands. Prices are not cheap, though, and budget travellers would do well to avoid the peak summer months of July and August. Note that many places shut down in winter.
Advertisement
The history of the islands goes back a long way. Homer refers to Ponza in the Odyssey, while in Roman times they were a favourite retreat for emperors and courtiers. But as the Roman Empire declined, the islands were left vulnerable to violent attacks by the Saracens and by groups from mainland Italy and the nearby Aeolian Islands. Unfaithful wives, promiscuous daughters and persecuted Christians counted among the large number of people exiled to the islands at this time.
A golden age came in the 18th century, but commerce flourished at the expense of the natural habitat, which was largely destroyed in the locals’ rush to build and cultivate. Today Ponza is ecologically still in pretty poor shape: there’s a lot of erosion caused by terraced farming and bird-hunting is virtually an obsession (migrating birds pass over on their journey between Europe and Africa). Fortunately, the islands are now under national park protection.
For online information about Ponza, check www.aptlatinaturismo.it and www.ponza.it.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
