June 17 Lipari, Marina Corta

We had arrived at the Aeolian islands. This archipelago has been on my wish list for over 10 years because it’s volcanic - we finally made it! and spent 4 beautiful nights on Lipari, the biggest of the islands. From our base there, we explored the island and travelled to other islands in this archipelago of 7 main islands. 

Today we went on a guided walking tour of the little old port of Marina Corta and the surrounding village with its narrow streets including a site with partially-excavated ancient Roman baths. From there we climbed up to Castello di Lipari, located on a huge volcanic rock that juts out into the sea rising to a height of about 50m they say, but it seemed much higher than that when we climbed it - but more of that anon. For now enjoy a stroll through this delightful village. 

We passed houses with plastic bags hanging outside. This was vegetable etc matter for people with gardens or raising animals to collect.

Chapel dedicated to lost seamen

Marina Corta

At Marina Corta stands a small chapel so seamen could get a blessing before they went out to sea and a thank you when they got back safely

An island of churches.

The colours were vibrant and enticing

A delicious shelf of liqueurs along with capers which grow everywhere

There a story about the Turkish head but I can’t remember the gory details.

We passed a wee van with fresh herbs and vegetables for sale.
Not a huge harvest but fresh out of a small garden

Long legs come in handy!

'Very narrow streets'

This staircase was gorgeous with bright ceramics of fish on the risers

Strange blowsy exotic flowers dripping over a wall

Roman Baths

Roman baths circa ‘not sure’. The Romans were here for 5-600 years from around 260 BC. On the right a small piece of mosaic uncovered. It was an extremely complex clever system.

Windows we’re few and often round - windows let in the heat. The families live on their open air terraces. Interesting doors. Most houses had a sign outside often in ceramics with their name and an image.

We were about to climb to that citadel