Raf Vit, IH9YMC will be active from Pantelleria Island, IOTA AF - 018, in CQ WW DX CW Contest, 25 - 26 November 2023.
He will operate in Single Operator Single Band 160m Low Power Category.
Recent DX Spots IH9YMC
QSL via LOTW, eQSL.
Pantelleria — an island that rose from the depths of the sea
The small island of Pantelleria, with an area of only 83 square kilometers, is located in the Mediterranean Sea between the southwestern part of Sicily and the northeastern coast of Africa, closer to Tunisia. The island literally rose from the sea as a result of thousands of years of volcanic eruptions from the Montagna Grande volcano. Administratively, Pantelleria is part of the province of Trapani. Communication with the European and African continents is provided by the seaport near the town of Pantelleria and the airport of Margiana, a former military airfield.
Pantelleria Island. Author - Maurizio Caputo.
Appearance of the local population and their way of life
Over 7,500 people live permanently on Pantelleria, almost half of them in the town of the same name, which is also the largest local settlement. The vast majority of the local population are Sicilians. There is a small percentage of Arabs from North Africa who have settled on the island. The official language is Italian, but a unique Sicilian dialect is also spoken in everyday life.
There are many villages scattered across the island, whose ascetic appearance is dominated by an interesting style called dammuzo. Any village or settlement in Pantelleria consists of several dozen small, squat houses built from lava rock produced by the volcano. To this day, the construction techniques used by the locals have undergone only minor changes.
From an aesthetic point of view, there is no sophistication in the architecture, but the appearance of the buildings reflects the reverence for the centuries-old traditions of this place, lost in the vastness of the Mediterranean Sea. Although the walls are built without any binding material, they provide shelter from strong dry winds and the sun in hot weather. The slightly convex roofs allow precious water to be collected from precipitation. The main occupations of the rural population are fishing, winemaking, and farming.
One hundred and fifty kilometers of tourist routes
Pantelleria is crisscrossed by tourist trails and routes with a total length of over 150 kilometers. The island is surrounded by a road that can be used to reach the coastal areas with flat, uncomplicated terrain in a rented vehicle. Many prefer an alternative option—a boat trip around Pantelleria with stops at bays and coves to visit coastal attractions. Routes into the interior of the island are more difficult due to the mountainous terrain and can be explored on foot or by bicycle.
The black pearl of Sicily and the entire Mediterranean
Among tourists, the island of Pantelleria has earned the title of the black pearl of Sicily. Even despite its poor nature surrounded by rocky and volcanic rocks, there is something to see here. History buffs are attracted by the ruins of ancient settlements fortified by obsidian walls around the perimeter. Artifacts unearthed by archaeologists during excavations are on display in the Syracuse Museum.
In the southeastern part of the island are the ruins of a necropolis built during the emergence and development of the Seser culture. It is a complex of tower-like structures that were used for funeral rituals. There are about 50 such seses on the island, up to 7 meters high and in various states of preservation. They were built around 3000 BC during the existence of a settlement called Murcia on Pantelleria.
On the hill of San Marco are the ruins of the ancient city of the once-existing state of Phoenicia. Tiled containers for collecting and storing water, the foundations of large public buildings, and fragments of a forum have survived to this day. At the top of the Montagna Grande volcano is a natural park with a viewing platform. On a clear day, from a height of 800 m, you can see the African coastline on the horizon.
The coastline around the island is dotted with beaches, picturesque grottoes, fairy-tale caves, and small bays. A popular spot is the rock known as the Elephant's Trunk. From a distance, it resembles a mighty animal with its trunk submerged in the sea. A more secluded corner of Pantelleria is located in the northeastern part of the island. This is the Bay of Five Teeth, a picturesque place with a rugged rocky coastline and a sea that changes color in an unusual way from bright green to turquoise.
The most beautiful place in Pantelleria is the thermal lake Specchio di Venere, also known as the Mirror of Venus. The natural pristine beauty surrounded by mountains, the bubbling fresh water of an unusual blue color, and the absence of sun loungers, umbrellas, and other artificial beach accessories attract tourists who are looking for unspoiled nature.
Interesting facts about Pantelleria
- The landscapes of Pantelleria became the backdrop, and the island itself a natural pavilion for the filming of the movie “I Am Love” by Italian director Lúcio Guadagnino.
- Giorgio Armani, Gerard Depardieu, Madonna, and Stephen King have all enjoyed vacationing on the island at various times.
- Despite the fact that the island is mainly inhabited by European immigrants from Sicily, it was named by the Arabs back in 700 AD.
- Translated into English, “Pantelleria” means “daughter of the wind.” The island is crossed by air currents from North Africa, which generate strong winds.
- The Margana airfield was built by the Italians before the start of World War II. It housed a huge hangar for storing an entire squadron of aircraft. In 1943, the airfield was captured by the Allies during Operation Stalker. For some time, the facility was used for military purposes, then became a civilian airport.
- The locals call themselves Pantelleria. According to statistics, the inhabitants of Pantelleria consume less medication than in mainland Italy. According to legend, the volcano Montagna Grande has come to terms with the presence of humans, has grown fond of them, and now protects them.
