Lipara

Lipara, the ancient name for Lipari, is the largest island in the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the northeastern coast of Sicily, Italy. It is part of the Metropolitan City of Messina in the region of Sicily. The island's coastline is varied, with black lava formations, rocky cliffs, and several small beaches. Lipara is of volcanic origin and has a long history of eruptions, though no major activity in modern times. Pumice quarries on the island have been exploited since antiquity, contributing to Lipara's economy.

In antiquity Lipara was a Greek settlement known as Lipara or Lipari, and it minted its own coins before falling under Roman rule. Throughout the Middle Ages it remained an important maritime locality and was fortified with the Castello di Lipari, a hilltop fortress. The Archaeological Regional Museum Eoliano is housed in the Castello and preserves artifacts from Lipari and the other Aeolian islands.

Today Lipara's economy relies on tourism, fishing, and crafts such as lava-stone jewelry. The island is connected by ferries to Messina, Milazzo, and nearby Aeolian ports, and serves as the main hub for visitors exploring Vulcano, Stromboli, Salina, and other islands. Along with the rest of the Aeolian Islands, Lipara was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 for its geological and cultural significance.