Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands and is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, just off the northern coast of Sicily. It is an exceptionally beautiful place with pretty and colourful little villages, the most impossibly blue waters, lovely sandy beaches, craggy volcanic rock formations, and a lush green landscape. There are lots of things to see and do but the best all revolve around enjoying the incredible natural beauty of Lipari, with boat trips and hiking the various trails around the island being two of the best activities to really make the most of those stunning surroundings. If you have found a vacation rental in Sicily and you are coming to explore Lipari for the day then we would highly recommend that you follow one particular route, to the Forgia Vecchia, at the top of which you will be rewarded with a sweeping view over all of the incredible natural bounty below.
The Forgia Vecchia is a large obsidian crater, that is 600m wide and 1km long, created by an old obsidian lava flow that came out of Monte Sant'Angelo and it is an extraordinary sight to behold. It also happens to offer the most evocative and exceptional viewing point on the island. The nearby Stromboli may be famous for having the only permanently active volcano in Europe and for its black sand beaches but the lesser-known Monte Sant’Angelo and the Forgia Vecchia hold their own with the incredible setting and a volcano-dyed beach made up of black pebbles that curve around a tranquil bay, framed by the volcano’s lush green slopes.
The Forgia Vecchia is a large obsidian crater, that is 600m wide and 1km long, created by an old obsidian lava flow that came out of Monte Sant'Angelo and it is an extraordinary sight to behold. It also happens to offer the most evocative and exceptional viewing point on the island. The nearby Stromboli may be famous for having the only permanently active volcano in Europe and for its black sand beaches but the lesser-known Monte Sant’Angelo and the Forgia Vecchia hold their own with the incredible setting and a volcano-dyed beach made up of black pebbles that curve around a tranquil bay, framed by the volcano’s lush green slopes.
Easily accessed from the little town of Canneto, the Forgia Vecchia is reached by a road leading from the town, which is paved with lava stones, meaning that it is not a traditional hike that requires lots of preparation or equipment. In fact, plenty of visitors will tell you that they made the trip in sandals or flip-flops just fine. It is, however, a steep incline and a trek up so do keep that in mind and ensure all those undertaking the endeavour are fit enough to do so. And, while flip-flops might suffice, we would suggest something a little more supportive and comfortable for an extended walk for your own sake!
Once you get to the top, to the impressive crater of the Forgia Vecchia, be sure to stop and really take in and admire those truly spectacular views; with the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea and the curve of the coast dotted by little villages and settlements on one side and views over the verdant landscape filled with strawberry trees, brooms, ferns, flowers and more to the other side. Peacefully dormant, the volcanic beauty no longer reflects the, "fiery flames of fire," that are described in Leandro Albert’s, "Description of Italy,” but is, instead, now a place of peace and calm, though Monte Sant’Angelo is still far too young to be considered extinct and could still have some activity. The crater was actually cultivated until a few centuries ago, as evidenced by the wall that runs around the mouth, but this has long since ceased and the only human interaction it sees today are those who come to admire the views. You can access the area by car or scooter now but we still recommend hiking up to make the most of the whole experience, as views are always all the more charming if you have sweated a little bit to enjoy them and you will be able to take them in at your leisure for the whole journey.
So, if you are holidaying in Sicily and have taken a ferry to Lipari for the day, then be sure to head there and take in both the incredible crater and the amazing views that a trip to the Forgia Vecchia affords – surely some of the best in all of Italy!