Port of call
Ponza Island is an Italian island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, not far from the western coast of the Apennine Peninsula. Administratively, Ponza Island is a municipality of Ponza within the province of Latina in the Lazio region. Ponza has a population of 3,307 (2008). The island is part of the Ponza Islands, the largest of them. The island is 8.8 km long, with a maximum width of about 2.4 km. Area - 7.3 km². The island’s formation is associated with volcanic activity.
The Romans used Ponza Island for fish farming. On Ponza there have been preserved fish-farming complexes Grotto di Pilato. There are also remains of Roman port structures on Ponza. The island was abandoned in the Middle Ages due to raids by Saracens and pirates. In the 18th century, the Kingdom of Naples once again colonized the island.
It is said that the name Ponza comes from the name of Pontius Pilate, the Roman ruler of Judea who accused Jesus of Nazareth. Pilate’s family owned a small cave on the island, which still today bears his name - Grotto di Pilato. According to another version, the island’s name comes from the Latin “pontia” - Land of Bridges - Ponza, and it truly can boast an abundance of natural arches and natural bridges. The legend says that in ancient times Ponza was connected to the mainland by a narrow sandy spit, which later went under water. And recent archaeological excavations seem ready to confirm this legend: ruins of an ancient Roman temple were discovered on the seabed of the bay.
Modern Ponza is a tourist destination of national importance. The Italians themselves gladly go to the island on weekends, and the number of foreign tourists grows year after year.
ClimateThe best time to travel to Ponza Island is May-October. During these months, the air temperature during the day does not fall below 20 degrees, and the water temperature warms up from 20 to 26 degrees Celsius.
The enchanting port of Ponza appears as a chaotic pile of colorful houses. It seems that a child took some paints and colored the picture in their favorite colors. Between and behind the houses, green groves can be seen. Old homes step down the mountainside, giving this little town a special charm. From the open terraces of the houses, you can enjoy a delightful view of the sea with white yachts, steamers, and the coastal rocks.
On Ponce you can get acquainted with a true engineering marvel of the ancient Romans, with fish-breeding ponds-“piscaria.” Built in the 1st century AD, the intricate labyrinth, where a natural circulation of seawater rich in plankton was carried out, served as an excellent place for raising fish, which later adorned the tables of well-known patricians. Today, an extensive network of tunnels-remarkably well preserved despite its two-thousand-year age-houses moray eels, which have independently chosen the galleries as their home, and is explored by numerous scuba diving enthusiasts.
An unforgettable stay on Ponza enchants with an extraordinary atmosphere and breathtaking scenery: strangely carved coastal rocks, cozy grottoes, mysterious caves, and crystal-clear sea waters that shimmer in a variety of shades from blue to turquoise depending on the lighting. The island’s coastline is heavily indented, and in the way we usually understand it, there are practically no sandy beaches here. Guests make do with small natural pools, coves, and bays, which for the most part have a rocky bottom.
To get to know the island, you can take an excursion by motorboat. During the tour, besides sightseeing, lunch is planned, including fish pasta, wine and coffee. The views that open up during the tour are so impressive they even amaze experienced travelers: extraordinarily majestic rocks seem to rise from the water. They come in a wide variety of colors-white, yellow, and gray-greatly enhancing the scenery. All of them are carved with mysterious caves, into which you can swim by boat. There are many bays with azure sea water where guests are offered to go for a swim. Just be careful of the jellyfish, which can sting.
For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can familiarize yourself after booking your cruise in your «Client Personal Account».
