Pollara

Pollara is a hamlet on the western coast of Salina, set within the remains of an ancient volcanic crater. A pebble cove lies beneath a semicircular tuff cliff, with the Scoglio Faraglione offshore. The village is also associated with the filming of Il Postino.

Why it matters

Pollara’s landscape combines volcanic geology with the history of a small settlement on Salina. The cove occupies the open side of a partly submerged crater, and the Scoglio Faraglione rises offshore. Pollara is also one of the locations where scenes from Massimo Troisi’s film Il Postino were shot.

What to notice

The semicircular cliff behind the pebble cove is described by the municipal tourism authority as a remnant of the crater’s inner wall. The Faraglione stands about 300 metres from the coast, while Punta Perciatu is a natural arch in the volcanic rock. In the village, a mural near the church of Sant’Onofrio depicts Massimo Troisi and Pablo Neruda, played by Philippe Noiret in the film.

Context and history

Pollara is a frazione of the municipality of Malfa. Its bay and surrounding cliffs reflect the volcanic structure of Salina, while the hamlet’s film association has become part of its cultural identity. The municipality records filming for Il Postino principally in Pollara. A Festa del Cappero is held in the village square on the first Sunday of June, connecting the settlement with the caper cultivation characteristic of its dry-stone terraces.