Arco dell’Elefante


Useful Information

Location: Via Arco dell’Elefante, 91017 Pantelleria TP.
Turn off the coastal road at Tracino. The arc is not signposted, but the road name, which is Via Arco dell’Elefante. Follow the road to the end.
Geosite 10
(36.7928981, 12.0535731)
Open: no restrictions.
[2025]
Fee: free.
[2025]
Classification: GeologyNatural Bridge SpeleologySea Cave
Light: n/a
Dimension:  
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address: Pantelleria Island National Park Authority, Via San Nicola, 5, 91017 Pantelleria (TP), Tel: +39-0923-569412. E-mail: E-mail:
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

The Arco dell’Elefante (Elephant Arch) was named so because the peninsula were it is located resembles an elefant. This shape is rather easy to see from the coastal road looking down. Most pictures were made from sea level though, where the arch looks much less like an elephant head. The road ends at the sea level, and the arch encloses a small cove, which is a popular bathing spot with a great view.

The ignimbrite rock is the result of a small eruption around 58,000 BP with mildly explosive activity (Strombolian). The soda-rhyolitic ignimbrite is covered by a thin layer of Green Tuff, abou 1 m thick.