The Island of Alicudi is the most Occidental of the Aeolian Archipelago and lies about 34 nautical miles west of Lipari, the commune in which administratively the island depends.   The mountain Filo dell’Arpa dominates the island, an extinct volcano of about five square kilometers, a near perfect circle, with sloping coastline and vertical cliffs that constitute the emerged portion. The island rises from the sea depths of 1,500 meters, and reaches a height of 675 meters at the mountain peak. The habitants live only on the east facing slope, which declines less steeply into the Sea.  The only town of the island is also known as Alicudi and is divided into five small fractions:
• Alicudi porto, which is located on the shore and is characterized by the presence of the pier where the ships and hydrofoils dock, two alimentary stores and the post office (at Alicudi there are no banks or ATMs);
• Contrada Tonna is the fraction that lies the furthest west on the Island.
• San Bartolo is located above Alicudi porto at about 330 meters and is characterized by the precense of a church dedicated to San Bartolo, the patron saint of the Island.
• Contrada Pianicello is at the same height as San Bartolo, yet further to the west and populated by German speakers originally from Switzerland.  This small fraction utilizes solar energy and rain water collected in the ancient reservoirs of the Aeolian houses.  Many of the habitants of this fraction have also started to cultivate traditional crops such as grapevines and olives.
• Contrada Sgurbio is located at the same height as San Bartolo, yet further to the east.  This is the smallest fraction and is composed of five houses that are named after their habitants.
The Island of heather was inhabited by over 600 persons after WWII, yet in the decade following the end of the war a large part of the population emigrated for Australia.  Today the population rests at about 100 habitants.

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The territory of the Island of Alicudi

The sea is crystal clear with amazing visibility, full of fish, and accessible only by crossing over rocks or small beaches made up of pebbles. On Alicudi there are no classic sandy beaches.  Going up the steep mule paths, one is immersed in the thousands of colors offered by the agave, prickly pear, flowering caper plants, red bougainvillea, roses, violets, oranges, and naturally heather.  At the highest point of the Island, Filo dell’Arpa, the landscape is profoundly diverse compared to the coastal vegetation, the olive plants and prickly pear that were common up to 300 meters are replaced by chestnut trees and lime (also known as linden or basswood).
The only source of transportation, other than walking, to climb up the steep mule paths are by donkey and mule.  There are no mechanical vehicles that can ascend the Island, and no paved streets other than the brief cement road that runs for a few hundred meters along the coast and connects the plaza and pier to the helicopter landing pad in the case of emergency.

Useful Information

It is recommended to bring plastic “reef walking” shoes to enter the water;
On the island there are no banks or ATMs, and it is advised to be prepared and have cash handy;
In the month of August the island is completely "booked out", and reservations are needed in advance;
Boat excursions, island tours, and fishing adventures with local fishermen are available daily;
There are no paved streets other than a small portion paved near the pier; the only way to move around the island is by walking or on the back of a mule (used only for special occasions).

This text comes in part from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alicudi
The aeriel photos are thanks to the permission of J. Lagenbach

Photos of Alicudi

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