Pantelleria has been known as the ‘Black Pearl of the Mediterranean’, since the early  Phoenician era.  The island lies in a stretch of sea between Tunisia and Sicily, yet it has little in common with either Africa or Italy.Instead of white beaches and waving palms Pantelleria offers steep cliffs and a rugged volcanic landscape shaped by the constantly- blowing winds and baked by the African sun. It reminds some visitors of the Scottish Highlands.

Pantelleria is also known as the island of sun and wind.  The town of Pantelleria itself, the main settlement on the island was razed by heavy bombing during World War II. Italy’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini took advantage of its strategic position and ordered it to be turned into a fortress. The roads and airport built for the purpose are still in use today. Pantelleria was known for a while as ‘Mussolini’s aircraft-carrier’. In 1943, the Allies bombarded the island as a precursor to the invasion of Sicily.

Star designer Giorgio Armani fell under the spell of this island years ago and he likes to describe himself as one of the island’s pioneer tourists. He now owns a magnificent property at Couturier near Cala Gadir. It consists of six ‘Dammusi’, the name given to the indigenous houses on the island, mostly whitewashed, rounded single- storey buildings built in the Arab architectural style. Tourists can rent one of these homes for a holiday, arguably one of the most pleasant and authentic ways to spend a holiday on Pantelleria.

Gorgio Armani's beach house in Pantelleria.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 at 1345 and is filed under Hollywood & Italy, Italian Islands, Undiscovered Italy.