Language – Hamlet of Salina

The history of Lingua, a small fraction of Salina

Lingua, a small fraction of Salina in the Aeolian Islands, is a fishing village located along the south-eastern coast of the Sicilian island, which is distinguished by the presence of a salt water lake, from which the entire island took its name; in fact, since the time of the ancient Romans, the small lake was used as a salt pan, for the extraction of the precious mineral.
The tanks of an ancient extraction plant (datable around the XNUMXnd century AD) are still partially visible today, even if the plant was almost completely submerged by the waters of the lake around the XNUMXth century.

In the eighteenth century a bridge was built to connect Lingua to the locality of Vallone Zappini and thus reach the village more easily: the structure is still visible and is an attraction for those visiting the island.

In more recent times the lighthouse of was built Tongue tip, renovated and still in use today, another point of attraction for tourists arriving in Lingua.

Today the small fraction of Salina is a tourist resort that welcomes visitors with hotels, Bed&Breakfasts, bars and restaurants where you can taste the local cuisine, but certainly not without cultural poles such as the civic Museum, where you can discover the history and traditions of the place.

Language architecture and landscape

Arriving in Lingua, a small fraction of Salina, one immediately notices the landscape riches of the area, a coastal strip overlooking the splendid and crystalline sea of ​​the Aeolian Islands and backed by Monti delle Felci and Monti dei Porri Nature Reserve; the brackish lake, an ancient salt pan and today a tourist attraction, is separated from the sea by a thin rocky strip and overflown, during the migration period, by a large quantity of birds.
Those arriving on the island, however, will also find a surprising amount of architectural, historical and cultural attractions.

Starting from the charming fishing village, lying on the seafront and full of places for a gourmet break, you reach the lighthouse of Chief Language.

Even the lake contains an incredible surprise, only partially revealed: now almost completely covered by water, however, three tanks of the Roman salt pans are still visible; the dividing walls of each tank are built according to the scheme of theOpus reticulatum, while the flooring, made of lime and gravel, dates back to the XNUMXnd century AD

Along the ancient road to reach Lingua, the stone bridge, built in 1700, is still visible.

Things to do in Lingua, a small fraction of Salina and in the surrounding area

Lingua, the small fraction of Salina overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, is a welcoming tourist resort, perfect for spending a relaxing stay, by the sea or in the mountains, without however having to give up the pleasures of city life: those arriving on holiday in Lingua can spend pleasant hours on the beach, swimming in the transparent waters of the Aeolian Islands, or go trekking in the mountains, along the paths of Fern Mountain; at the lake, there are observation points for birdwatchers, while from the lighthouse of Capo Lingua you can enjoy a fantastic view of the sea.
For history buffs, we recommend a stop at the Civic Museum, where a large exhibition space is dedicated to the memory of life on the island and in particular to rural crafts, now increasingly difficult to observe live.

Those wishing to visit the whole island of Salina can choose Lingua as a starting point, staying in one of the many Bed&Breakfasts in the village, where you can also take the opportunity to taste the delicious dishes of the local cuisine or enjoy a pizza on the seafront.
About 2 km from the centre, there is Santa Marina Salina, where you can visit the Church of Santa Marina, built in the seventeenth century, or you can experience the fun nightlife of the island, among the many places dedicated to nightlife.
The Fossa delle Felci, not far away, is a real natural attraction, because the large crater of volcanic origin is completely covered by ferns and reaching the top, it allows you to embrace the entire panorama of the Aeolian Islands with your gaze, reaching up to the Etna.
Another treasure hidden by the island's vegetation is that of the Saracen caves in locality Serro dell'Acqua, where visitors can reach by following a path hidden by the marvelous olive trees: arriving at their destination they meet the caves, dug into the tuff and hidden by the greenery, where the population hid at the time of the Saracen raids, in the XNUMXth century AD

Recommended activities for a tour of the Aeolian Islands

How to get there in Lingua, a small fraction of Salina

Lingua is located on the south-eastern coast of the island of Salina and is part of the municipality of Santa Marina Salina, in the area of ​​the Metropolitan City of Messina. Those arriving from Sicily can reach Santa Marina di Salina by ferry and then take a bus or taxi to get to Lingua.

© Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons; Effems, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons