Quattropani: Vineyards, Kaolin and Pilgrimage

Quattropani Among Vineyards, Volcanic Landscapes and Pilgrimage

Quattropani combines impressive landscapes with places where Lipari’s history and religious traditions are particularly tangible. In the Quattropani district, Tenuta di Castellaro offers wine tastings by reservation. A picnic in the vineyard is also possible by reservation, leading after a short walk to a hidden viewpoint. This means the exploration begins not only with a view of the landscape, but also with an experience that brings viticulture and nature together.

Cave di Caolino and the Landscape on the Western Slope

The Cave di Caolino are among the most distinctive natural experiences. They can be reached via a narrow road that branches off from the provincial road towards Ospedale. The caves consist of white, kaolinized clay formations and kaolin beds. In some places, fumarolic gases intensively color their surfaces. The path beside the caves reveals secondary volcanism and leads as far as the cliffs of Palmeto.

Along this unusual landscape, the path passes through Mediterranean grasslands where orchids bloom in spring. It also passes a small basin fed by water from a thermal spring. The Cave di Caolino lie on Lipari’s western slope and overlook the “Timponi”, considered the island’s oldest geological formations, which formed around 220,000 years ago. Along the coast in this area, the yellow-legged gull (Larus cachinnans) is resident for much of the year.

The secluded path also offers views of historical mining activities. A steep path running through the “Timpone” reaches the coast; through narrow valleys, it continues to the ancient, now-dry Lake Bagno Secco. The Cave di Caolino therefore represent several distinct impressions: light-colored clay formations, volcanic phenomena, Mediterranean vegetation, coastal views and traces of earlier use.

Chiesa Vecchia, Madonna della Catena and Castellaro Vecchio

At the highest point of Quattropani, Chiesa Vecchia is home to the Santuario di Maria Santissima della Catena. It was built in 1588 in honor of the Madonna della Catena. Inside are an 18th-century oil painting of the Holy Virgin with the Child and a wooden statue of the Madonna della Catena from the same century. From Chiesa Vecchia, the view extends over Salina and towards the more distant islands of Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi.

The Feast of the Madonna della Catena lasts three days and takes place between Chiesa Vecchia and Chiesa Nuova. At its center is the nighttime pilgrimage on the night of September 7–8. Those who visit Quattropani outside this festival also encounter vibrant local traditions: every year, a handmade nativity scene is renewed in Chiesa Vecchia. It is created by volunteers under the direction of the “Castellaro” association.

Quattropani also preserves traces of its older history. The open-air site of Castellaro Vecchio near Quattropani is the only named location through which the oldest phase is known. The prehistoric inhabitants of Castellaro Vecchio used obsidian from the prehistoric lava flow of Pomiciazzo.

Paths and Local Specialties

Quattropani is connected to the town of Lipari by the panoramic road that runs around the island. The municipality also lists the Lipari–Pianoconte–Terme S. Calogero–Quattropani route among the trekking routes on the island of Lipari. For the culinary side, A Menza Quartara names bread salad and homemade liqueurs as its own specialties.

Discover More Places

If you would like to extend your discoveries to other places, you can also find Fondachelli-Fantina, San Saba, Librizzi, Contrada Lacco, Graniti, Ginostra, Messina and Forza D'agrò here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Messina.