Boarding is in Formia. When you are still far away, Ventotene appears small and stretched out on the horizon. Beyond the Roman port, the inhabited area clings to the rock. To welcome you, however, is the nearby new port, where the ferry docks daily. The stopovers are flanked by two splendid inlets: Cala Navea e Cala Rossano. The small one isola retains the charm of history and preserves wonderful landscapes that echo between the blue of the sky and the sea.
Ventotene, from the Port to Santa Candida
Time to get off the ship and you can't help but admire the beauty of the place. Along the stretch of road that from the new airport allows access to the town, some caves excavated in the tuff: they were used as warehouses. You set off on the narrow road that runs alongside the small port basin and to get to the center of the village you have two suggestive alternatives: a circular road that runs along the Roman port and reaches the plant Piazza Castello or go up the ramps that lead to the square where the church of Santa Candida is located.
The ancient port was also dug out of the rocks, as was the small cala del Pozzillo which was built by digging into the tuff, probably also to offer shelter to fishermen's boats. Another way to go up to the village is to walk along the characteristic ramps that in a few minutes reach the second square of the island: Piazza De Gasperi, where the church is located.
The parish church it is the spiritual center of Ventotene and was built in the second half of the 1774th century. In September XNUMX it was consecrated to the patron saint. According to legend, the young woman Candida he converted to Christianity. After his death, the body was allegedly found on the coasts of Ventotene.
Every year, the patronal celebrations that take place from 10 to 20 September, include, among others, two particularly significant moments: the race of colorful hot air balloons, made with paper, which takes place on the day of the eve and the traditional procession which takes place on the 20th and is attended by many from Ventotenesi who return to the island for the occasion and numerous visitors. From this square it is possible to rest your gaze on the port below or, aiming at the horizon, admire the blue of the sea where the second island of which the Municipality of Ventotene is also located is located: Santo Stefano.
The tour of the island
The color of the rock clearly reveals its volcanic origin; despite being less than 2 km² it still has important traces of the past. Ventotene has two beautiful beaches: near the new port it is located Cala Rossano while beyond the Roman Port, immediately after the 'Peschiera' appears Cala Navea which takes its name from a rock that recalls its shape: Nave di Terra, to distinguish it from the other called Nave di Fuori. A tour by sea offers the opportunity to admire the island in all its facets.
From the port basin, continuing eastwards, we meet Punta Aeolus which, with the myth, recalls the nature of the island. Here are the remains of Villa Giulia: it takes its name from the daughter of the emperor Augustus who arrived there in exile.
Continuing you can admire other wonderful places such as Parata Grande, Punta Pascone and the coves of Paratella and Moggio di Terra. Beyond the traffic light, however, Capo dell'Arco, the most extreme point of the island.
On the opposite side, after passing Cala Battaglia, we are in Cala Nave which is the most popular seaside area on the island. Opposite is the smallest of the islands that make up the Municipality: Santo Stefano. Now uninhabited, at the end of the 1700s, during the Bourbon period, Ferdinando IV he had a prison built there; it definitively ceased its activity in 1965. Today Santo Stefano, together with the capital island, is part of a nature reserve.
After the tour by sea, we return to earth. Heart of Ventotene is Piazza Castello, which comes alive especially during the summer season; the castle, originally conceived for defensive purposes, is now the seat of the Town Hall and the Archaeological Museum.
