Grotta di Sataría

Useful Information

Location:	Strada Perimetrale, 146, 91017 Pantelleria (TP). Geosite 7. (36.7838564, 11.9515921)
Open:	no restrictions. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Sea Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Grotta di Sataría, Strada Perimetrale, 146 - 91017 Pantelleria (TP), Tel: +39-0
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Grotta di Sataría (Sataría Cave) is a sea cave which was created by the differential erosion oif the waves. There is a bank of pumice which is soft and easily eroded. The much harder layer of above forms an overhang as it is much slower eroded. Typical for the volcanic island: there are geothermal springs with a temperature of 40 °C inside the cave. The hot water has been used since Antiquity, a channel was built in the cave floor, and two pools where the water is collected and allow bathing. The overflow meets the sea.

According to legend, this was the residence of the nymph Calypso on the island of Ogygia. She detained Odysseus for seven years against his will. She promised Odysseus immortality if he stayed with her, but he refused. Finally, due to the intervention of the other gods, Calypso was forced to let Odysseus go.

The site is not only a geologic highlight, it is also an archaeological site. It’s been famous since Roman times as a cure for rheumatic pain and arthritis, the name Sataría is of Greek origin and means health. Like all Roman baths, there are a calidarium, a tepidarium, and a frigidarium. The calidarium or hot pool are two internal pools which were covered with mosaics from the Roman period. The tepidarium or lukewarm pool is a rather large pool, located in the back of the cave. And the frigidarium or cold pool is located outside with an inflow of seawater.

The use continued over the centuries, and the soft pumice was used build structures inside. The floor was covered in tiles, and there are other alterations.

As far as we know the site is easily accessible. It is located below the coastal road Str. Perimetrale, and there is a comfortable stone staircase leading down. However, it seems there were some damages in the 1960s and also the heavy vehicles on the coastal road damage the cave further. So the site is officially closed to the public, at least for bathing. We could not find out if it is possible to look at it, at least from the cave entrance. There are numerous pictures on Google Maps, so we guess it is not gated.