Pollara on Salina: Caldera, Cliffs and Sant’Onofrio

Pollara on Salina combines a volcanic coastal landscape with specific sites connected to the history of the village. The settlement developed around the Church of Sant’Onofrio. The Church of Sant’Onofrio stands in Pollara, in the municipality of Malfa on Salina. It dates from 1853 and preserves its distinctive original flooring.

Volcanic caldera, beach and rocks in the Bay of Pollara

Pollara lies in a partially sunken volcanic caldera that forms a large, green natural amphitheatre and ends in cliffs that descend steeply to the sea. Pollara Beach includes a preserved section of the inner wall of a long-extinct volcanic crater. Large stones lie between the rocks there; at the same time, the beach is set in an amphitheatre-shaped cliff landscape. The Faraglione of Pollara is also called Scoglio di Pollara and is an uninhabited volcanic rock approximately 300 metres off the coast of Salina in the Bay of Pollara. Mediterranean gulls (Larus michahellis) and Scopoli’s shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) breed on this volcanic rock. Visitors interested in nature can include the uninhabited Faraglione off the coast and the bird species that breed there in their observations. The Arco di Punta Perciato is a natural rock arch that extends into the sea.

The Church of Sant’Onofrio and Pollara’s local history

On the square in front of the church is a mural by Massimo Troisi and Philippe Noiret. There is also a monument to Massimo Troisi along Via Massimo Troisi. The Festa di Sant’Onofrio includes a mass and a procession through the streets of Pollara bearing the image of Saint Sant’Onofrio. The Balate of Pollara are former storage buildings used by fishermen. They once served as shelters for boats and equipment. Visitors interested in culture encounter the mural on the square in front of the church and the monument along Via Massimo Troisi in Pollara.

Paths, views and the Bay of Pollara with Alicudi and Filicudi

The Serra Pollara path offers views of the Bay of Pollara with its village, the cliffs descending steeply to the sea and the offshore rock. From the Semaforo district, it can be continued towards Pollara or in the direction of Malfa; these two directions can be considered separately when planning your own route. The Belvedere of Pollara is an equipped viewpoint above the Bay of Pollara, with Alicudi and Filicudi in the background. The viewpoint is located below the ruins of the Castello or Semaforo of Pollara, an old naval observation tower.

Caper cultivation and processing in Pollara

The Al Cappero agriturismo in Pollara offers tours combining caper cultivation and processing.

Other destinations: Santa Barbara, Faro Superiore, Castello, Fondachello, Malvagna, Marina Di Patti, Moio Alcantara and Librizzi.

More about Messina: Messina.