Lipari is the largest and most populated Aeolian Island.
The first volcanic activity above sea level started around 220,000 years ago and since then, in more or less regular periods, it has built the whole northern part of the island. The southern part, the volcanic domes of Monte Guardia, Monte Giardina and the Stacks, developed 45,000 to 15,000 years ago. The last volcanic activity, with the emission of pumice and obsidian, took place between 800 and 1100 AD in the north-eastern part of the island, between the villages of Canneto and Acquacalda.
From a naturalistic point of view, Lipari has always attracted the curiosity of researchers because it is a unique place where you can observe different types of volcanic manifestations on the same island, from dark basalt and obsidian to pumice.
Lipari has always been the most inhabited and main Aeolian Island, as shown by its history. Even in ancient times, Lipari had always been at the centre of the Mediterranean trade routes, thanks to the vast presence of
obsidian
, used at the time for various kinds of tools and uses. It was a raw material in the Aeolian territory that guaranteed a high chance of profit and economic success.
