Lampedusa is the largest of the Pelagian Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea, 200 km from Sicily and 113 km from Tunisia. It has varied coastlines including tall cliffs to the north and sandy beaches to the south where sea turtles lay eggs. Lampedusa has a mild climate due to winds and rocks that limit sunlight. It is known for snorkeling and diving in its rich underwater world of coral, sponges, and fish. Historically it was used by ancient civilizations and today receives immigrants traveling from Africa and the Middle East to Europe. One important landmark is the Sanctuary of Madonna di Porto Salvo where Christians and Muslims pray, and an annual festival is held each September celebrating

2. Lampedusa is the largest of the 3 Pelagian islands,
this name means Island of high sea. It’s an
archipelagos situated in the Mediterranean Sea. It is
200 kilometres from Sicily and only 113 km from
Tunisia.
It takes the form of a long triangle and its highest
point is Albero Sole which is on the north side of the
island. Its coasts are varied: tall on the sea to the
north, low to the south. This is where we can find the
famous beach Isola dei Conigli (Rabbits’ beach),
which is a beach where the turtles Caretta Caretta
lay their eggs.
Lampedusa can be reached by plane, ferry or by
hydrofoil in the summer.

3. Lampedusa is a stony and rigid island. Its plants and
animal life are similar to those of North Africa, for this
reason it seems to belong to Africa.
The only town is Lampedusa, rising on an inlet of South-
East coast.
High and jagged cliff walls, marine grottoes, decidedly
mark the northern coast; on the southern and eastern
ones, which are more accessible, there are a number of
sandy bays, dominated by rock shaped by atmospheric
agents. A feature of the southern coast is the Conigli
rock, perhaps the most enchanting place on Lampedusa,
separated from the land by a little shallow water, closing
off a big and beautiful bay with crystalline waters.

4. Lampedusa Island has a mild climate, thanks to
the winds and to the white rocks that limit the
heat of the sun's rays.

7. Lampedusa is a paradise for snorkelers and
divers who can enjoy a rich underwater world
inhabited by corals, sponges and coloured fish.

8. Historically, Lampedusa was a landing place and a maritime
base for the ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs.
Lampedusa has made international news as a prime transit site
for immigrants hoping to enter Europe from Africa, the Middle
East and Asia. Recently, Lampedusa has been catapulted into
the public eye due to the events in Northern Africa.
Immigrants have fled their native countries hoping to seek
refuge in Europe, using Lampedusa as a safe harbour to move
on from.

9. One of the most important landmarks is the
sanctuary of ‘Madonna di Porto Salvo’.
Christians and Muslems used to pray there. The
church and the statue were restored. Every year
on the 22nd Of September the festival of
‘Madonna di Porto Salvo’ is celebrated.

10. Lampedusa celebrates its protector with a procession,
accompanied by fireworks, games and concerts. The
local population start their preparations well in
advance. On the first Sunday of the month the
Madonna's statue is carried on fishermen's shoulders
in a long procession from the sanctuary to the town's
main church, where it is kept hidden until the 22th
September. There is then a further procession
involving the whole town. At the end of the festivities
on the 23th September a final procession takes the
statue back to its sanctuary.

11. Arancini
Baked Pasta
Filled squid
Cannoli
and
Grilled fish COUS-COUS