Ponza
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(September 2022) |
Ponza(Italian:isola di Ponza[ˈiːzoladiˈpontsa]) is the largest island of theItalianPontine Islandsarchipelago,located 33 km (21 mi) south ofCape Circeoin theTyrrhenian Sea.It is also the name of the commune of the island, a part of theprovince of Latinain theLazioregion.
History
[edit]
The island was inhabited fromneolithicthroughRomantimes. According to local legends, Ponza was named afterPontius Pilate,Roman governor ofJudeawho triedJesus of Nazarethforseditionagainst Roman rule. Pontius Pilate's family owned a grotto on Ponza, which is still named after him. The Pontius Pilate legend of Ponza's name has recently come into dispute amongst historians, because the name "Pontia" appears inStrabo'sGeography.This pre-dates the birth of Pilate.[1]It is not known if this is the same name as Ponza or a similar name. Also,Pontiameans "Land of Bridges" in Latin, a name which could have been applied for Ponza's many naturally occurring arches and bridge-like landforms. Another theory is that the name is of Greek origin, fromGreekpontos,πόντος,sea (see alsoPontus).
Greek and Roman periods
[edit]In ancient times the island was calledTyrrhenia.Legend says that Ponza is what is left of the lost island of Tyrrhenia. Ponza is said to have been connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, which sank into the sea with most of the island below the water, with the parts remaining abovesea level.The same exact phenomenon happened atCapri.According to legend, there was a large city on the ancient island. There has been significant archaeological progress recently that shows this may be true. For example, it was discovered that the harbor floor of nearbyPozzuolihad sunk and risen several times in the last 5,000 years, revealing sunken Romantemples.
Ponza was first colonised byEtruscans.The island was heavily forested with giant trees in ancient times, but the forest is gone and the hills are covered with man-madeterraces.Most of these terraces are no longer being used to grow food and grapes and are falling apart, due to lack of maintenance. The tallest hill on the island, called Monte Guardia, still has the rotting stumps of the extinct giant trees over eight feet wide. Crops are grown on these terraces likegrapesfor wine andcactus pearsandfigtrees.
Ponza is also suspected to be the island ofAeaeainHomer'sOdyssey,as the island ofCircethe sorceress, where her cave or grotto was. Today it is known as Grotta della Maga Circe on the west side of the island, betweenCapo BiancoandChiaia di Lunabeach. She was said to have lived in this cave in the winter months, spending the summer atop nearby Mount Circe on the mainland of Italy. This is where Circe turnedOdysseus' men into animals and cast her spell on and seduced and lived with him for over a year. On the west side of Ponza is the Grotta di Ulisse O Del Sangue, which means Cave of Ulysses or the Blood. TheGrottoor cave is almost directly underneath the hill/peninsula called IlBelvedere,which has theGiardino Botanico Ponzianoabotanical gardenwith a villa and the remains of a castle. These caves or grottoes are popular destinations to visit by boat only.
During Roman times,Nero Caesar,eldest brother ofCaligula,was deported to Ponza in AD 29, where he was put to death the following year. Two of his sisters, Agrippina the Younger (mother of the emperor Nero) andJulia Livilla,were exiled to Ponza in AD 39 for their complicity in a plot to overthrow Caligula. They were recalled to Rome in AD 41. Julia Livilla had a mansion named Palazzo Giulia (Julia's Palace) built specially for her on Ponza. The ruins are still visible. A similar mansion with the same name was also built on nearbyVentotenefor Emperor Augustus' exiled daughter,Julia the Elder.
Middle Ages
[edit]Ponza was abandoned during theMiddle Agesdue to constant raids bySaracensandpirates.In 1552, theOttomanfleet under the command ofTurgut Reis(known asDragutin the West) defeated theSpanishfleet ofEmperor Charles Vunder the command of the famousGenoeseadmiralAndrea Dorianear Ponza.
1700–present
[edit]During the 18th century, theKingdom of Naplesre-colonized the island. In 1813 it was captured byBritishnaval captainCharles Napierduring theNapoleonic Wars.[2]
The island became part of the Kingdom of Italy in the mid-19th century and it is now part of the Republic of Italy. The island's isolation destined it to serve as apenal colonyby various regimes. During the two decades offascism,Ponza and nearbyVentoteneserved as a prison for political opponents ofBenito Mussolini's regime. The Ethiopian Prince Regent and military leader,Ras Immiru,who was captured by the Italian Army in 1936, was imprisoned in a house in Santa Maria. Mussolini himself was imprisoned on the island for several weeks after being overthrown and arrested in 1943.Left CommunisttheoristAmadeo Bordigawas also imprisoned on the island, and he returned after his imprisonment to build several houses.
The island is well known for the tragic story ofLucia Rosawho threw herself into the Tyrrhenian Sea rather than being forced to marry a man against her wishes. She is viewed by many women around the world as amartyrfor women's rights and symbol for human rights.
A few years ago[when?],engineers working on an ancient Roman tunnel that connected the harbour part of Ponza to the neighborhood ofSanta Mariaused explosives to dig a conduit nearby — they were supposed to use achisel.The explosive shock shattered and destroyed a 2,100-year-old Roman gallery tunnel. The tunnel that connects Ponza with Santa Maria is now repaired, but many residents[who?]complain that it does not look like it used to, with steel reinforced concrete in place of Roman bricks.
Today, the island is atourist attractionwith sandy beaches likeChiaia di Luna(Half Moon Beach), now permanently closed due to falling rocks from the huge collapsing cliff above. Several tourists were killed a few years ago[when?]while sunbathing on the beach. The Italian National Park Service has installed steel cable netting to prevent further rock falls and deaths. The Roman Galleria or Roman Tunnel that connected the beach to the road is now closed because of collapsing Roman brickwork. Many beaches that were very popular are now permanently closed because falling rocks from overhead cliffs have killed vacationers.
In September of 2007, six "aquanauts" spent two weeks living underwater off the coast of Ponza, breaking all other records.[3]
Geography
[edit]Ponza and Gavi are the remains of a caldera rim of an extinctvolcano,with a surface area of 7.3 square kilometres (2.8 square miles). Ponza is approximately 5.5 mi (8.9 km) long by 1.5 mi (2.4 km) at its widest. It is a crescent shaped island with one large beach called Spiaggia di Chiaia di Luna (Half Moon Beach) and a few small beaches and has a mostly rocky coast made ofkaolinandtuffrock. The island has layers of Kaolinite and Bentonite which used to be mined. It has many odd natural rock formations, one looks like amonk,another looks like a giant pair of work pants,Spaccapurpo(Arco Naturale O Spaccapolpi), another looks like a patch of flowers and another one looks like mushrooms, another looks like a horseman. It has the Fantasy Rock Castle and several natural bridges and arches. It also has Faragliones or giant seastacksmade of solid rock. It has several small villages, among them are Commune di Ponza, Santa Maria and Le Forna. Ponza is often confused with nearby islands likeIschiaandCapri,except Ponza has no active volcanism.
Climate
[edit]Ponza has amediterranean climate(KöppenCsa) with hot and dry summers combined with mild and rainy winters. The annual average temperature is 17.14 °C (62.9 °F), the hottest month in August is 25.48 °C (77.9 °F), and the coldest month is 10.36 °C (50.6 °F) in February. The annual precipitation is 627.21 millimetres (24.69 in), of which November is the wettest with 116.7 millimetres (4.59 in), while July is the driest with only 9.13 millimetres (0.36 in).
| Climate data for Ponza, elevation: 184 m or 604 ft, 1991-2020 normals, extremes 1946–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 18.1 (64.6) |
20.0 (68.0) |
22.0 (71.6) |
28.0 (82.4) |
29.0 (84.2) |
33.5 (92.3) |
37.2 (99.0) |
35.6 (96.1) |
32.6 (90.7) |
27.3 (81.1) |
25.7 (78.3) |
19.8 (67.6) |
37.2 (99.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 12.4 (54.3) |
12.4 (54.3) |
14.2 (57.6) |
16.7 (62.1) |
20.9 (69.6) |
25.3 (77.5) |
27.9 (82.2) |
28.6 (83.5) |
25.1 (77.2) |
21.1 (70.0) |
17.0 (62.6) |
13.6 (56.5) |
19.6 (67.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 10.7 (51.3) |
10.4 (50.7) |
11.9 (53.4) |
14.0 (57.2) |
18.0 (64.4) |
22.2 (72.0) |
24.8 (76.6) |
25.5 (77.9) |
22.4 (72.3) |
18.9 (66.0) |
15.2 (59.4) |
11.9 (53.4) |
17.1 (62.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 9.3 (48.7) |
8.7 (47.7) |
10.0 (50.0) |
12.0 (53.6) |
15.6 (60.1) |
19.7 (67.5) |
22.3 (72.1) |
23.1 (73.6) |
20.3 (68.5) |
17.1 (62.8) |
13.6 (56.5) |
10.5 (50.9) |
15.2 (59.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −2.0 (28.4) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
2.8 (37.0) |
7.8 (46.0) |
10.2 (50.4) |
13.4 (56.1) |
15.0 (59.0) |
11.5 (52.7) |
7.0 (44.6) |
2.2 (36.0) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
| Averageprecipitationmm (inches) | 67.3 (2.65) |
62.6 (2.46) |
46.4 (1.83) |
37.5 (1.48) |
23.9 (0.94) |
15.5 (0.61) |
9.1 (0.36) |
15.3 (0.60) |
66.1 (2.60) |
89.0 (3.50) |
116.7 (4.59) |
77.9 (3.07) |
627.2 (24.69) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 8.30 | 7.17 | 6.10 | 5.13 | 3.67 | 1.83 | 1.00 | 1.57 | 5.27 | 6.80 | 10.30 | 8.93 | 66.07 |
| Averagerelative humidity(%) | 79.5 | 78.2 | 79.1 | 79.7 | 78.8 | 77.6 | 77.2 | 77.9 | 78.6 | 80.2 | 80.3 | 78.9 | 78.8 |
| Averagedew point°C (°F) | 7.3 (45.1) |
6.6 (43.9) |
8.4 (47.1) |
10.9 (51.6) |
14.6 (58.3) |
18.5 (65.3) |
21.0 (69.8) |
21.8 (71.2) |
18.6 (65.5) |
15.4 (59.7) |
11.8 (53.2) |
8.3 (46.9) |
13.6 (56.5) |
| Source 1: NOAA[4] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Temperature estreme in Toscana[5] | |||||||||||||
Archaeology
[edit]The island is famed for its Blue Grottoes, which were created by the Etruscans. Among them are Serpents Grotto and the Roman Gallery, a Roman tunnel that connects the town of Ponza to the (now closed) large sandy beach called Chiaia di Luna on the west side. The island has manyarcheologicalruinsvisible everywhere, including Greek, and Phoenician necropoli ruins in the middle of the island. There areEtruscanruins on parts of the island jumbled with Roman ruins. A large statue calledIl Mamozio( "The Mummy" ) orIl Mitreo,meaning miter or priest's hat, is a 3,000-year-oldmarblestatueand was found in the harbor. Depicting a local Etrurian consul, it is now displayed in a museum inNaplesbehind protective plastic, where it was reunited with its head. It is the oldest known Etruscan statue of its kind and extremely rare.
Economy
[edit]The town of Ponza is a fishing and boating port with several largedocksthat can accommodate large ships. Its biggest industry istourismfollowed by boatbuilding, boat repair and fishing.
The fourminesat the northern end — the most beautiful area of the island — were closed down in 1975 by the Italian Environmental Protection Agency because the mining operation was destroying the wildlife and flora, which areendangered species.The mines producedkaolinandBentonite.Kaolin is used in making Kaolin-Pectin medicine and the manufacture of porcelain.
Ponza has a two lane road that goes from north to south, but can accommodate small cars only. An airstrip planned for the north of the island was canceled due to environmental concerns. Because there is no airstrip, seaplanes visit the island instead.
Celebrities who have vacationed on Ponza includeKirk Douglas,his sonMichael Douglas,Anthony Quinn,Burt Lancaster,Gina Lollobrigida,Elsa MartinelliandSophia Loren,Jacques Cousteauand his son,Philippe Cousteau,who filmed several documentaries in the area.
Federico Fellini'sSatyricon(1969) was filmed on Ponza. Some scenes in Wes Anderson's filmThe Life Aquaticwere filmed on the island; Ponza was instead called in the movie, "Port-au-Patois".[1][2][3]
TheRai Fictiontelevision series, "Un'altra Vita" (2014), was largely filmed on Ponza.[4]Many of the scenes showcase the hilly landscape and rugged shoreline of the island.
Most of the people who live there raise rabbits and chickens and other animals in coops for meat to makecacciatore.Other farmed animals include goats,lambandpigeons.
Many of the original inhabitants of Ponza are now leaving the island. They are steadily being replaced by other Italians from the mainland. Many local children simply move away after becoming adults and never return.
The local economy is in a downturn partly due to the severe restrictions on commercial fishing.
Transportation
[edit]Ferries reach Ponza fromNaples,Terracina,FormiaandAnzio;there are alsohydrofoils(aliscafo) from Anzio and Formia that take about 75 minutes. The ferries and hydrofoils may not depart to and from Ponza during severe weather conditions. Much of Ponza is accessible by car and a bus runs the length of the island.
Main sights
[edit]- Giardino Botanico Ponziano"Ponza's Botanical Garden"
- Capo Bianco"Cape White" Italian National Natural Monument
- Spiaggia di Chaia di Luna( "Moon Gravel Beach" )
- Grotta della Maga Circe( "Cave of the SorceressCirce")
- Grotta di Ulisse o del Sangue"Cave of Ulysses (Odysseus) of the Blood "
- Monte Guardia( "Watchout Hill" ), Ponza's tallest hill
- Arco Naturale o Spaccapolpi,a natural arch standing in deep water looks like giant pants
- Grotta Azzurra,asea cavecomplex
- Spiaggia delle Felci,a beach
- Grotta di Serpentan underground maze of tunnels built by the Romans, much of it blocked off for safety reasons.
- Grotte di Pilato,built by theRomans.
- Spiaggia Di Le Forna,a smaller and tourist beach.
- natural saltwater swimming pool in Le Forna.
- Faraglioni di Lucia Rosa(Rocky shoals) named in honor ofLucia Rosa
- Spiaggia di Frontone,a beach
- Spiaggia di Santa Maria,a beach
- Cala FonteNatural fisherman's harbor, swimming on the north side is interesting.
- Bue marino cavea cave where the seals were used to find cover.
- cala GaetanoBeautiful sea colors, nice variety of fish during the spring time are visible.
- La CalettaAlso called the sunset coast where is possible to admire some beautiful sunsets.
- Forte PapaAn ancient fortress used to defend the island from Saracens attacks from the sea.
Feasts
[edit]- June 20 feast of StSilverius
- August 15 feast of theAssumption of Mary
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^This only excludes the possibility that the name is derived fromthat particularPontius. Since names were, generally, repeatedly applied in Roman families -- even to the point of having several sons with the samenomenbut differingcognomina-- it remains plausible that an earlierPontiusinspired the name.
- ^The annual register or a view of the history, politics and literature for the year 1813.Baldwin. 1823. p. 161.
- ^Pizzey, Allen (22 September 2007)."Two Weeks Under The Italian Sea".CBS News.Retrieved17 November2021.
- ^"Monte Cimone Climate Normals 1991-2020".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Archived fromthe originalon 2023-08-31.RetrievedAugust 31,2023.
- ^"Ponza"(in Italian). Temperature estreme in Toscana. Archived fromthe originalon 2023-08-31.RetrievedAugust 31,2023.
- Annussek, Greg (2005).Hitler's Raid to Save Mussolini: The Most Infamous Commando Operation of World War II.Cambridge: Da Capo Press. pp. 106–107.ISBN0-306-81396-3.
- "In Our Time" Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Etruscan civilization,With: Phil Perkins, professor of Archaeology at the Open University; David Ridgway, senior research fellow at the Institute of Classical Studies at the University of London; and Corinna Riva, lecturer in Mediterranean Archaeology at University College London.
External links
[edit]
- Comune di Ponza website(in Italian)
- Ponza website(in Italian)
- Giardino Botanico Ponziano
- Ponza's Encyclopaedia(in Italian)
