Maureen Pies
Volcanic sea arch
The Arco dell’elefante is a sea arch of volcanic rock on the coast of Pantelleria below the village of Tracino. In the winter, it is a place of crashing waves and brine filled air. In the summer, it offers one of the easier access points to the sea.
Local legend claims that in times of drought the elephant can suck up the sea and fill the ancient cisterns of the island. Fresh water is a precious resource for the permanent inhabitants.
