Scappatella

The Garden by the Sea

Where the land meets the Mediterranean.

In Ustica, farming is much more than a job. It is an ongoing dialogue between volcanic soil, sea breezes and the people who have cultivated this small corner of the Mediterranean for generations.

L’Orto sul Mare takes you inside "U Barune di Ustica" Farm, where Pasquale, together with his wife Caterina, carries on the farming traditions passed down from his father.

Together, you’ll walk among vegetable gardens, fruit trees, aromatic herbs and seasonal crops, listening to stories of harvests, seasons and traditions that still shape everyday life on the island.

Surrounded by the scent of basil, sun-ripened tomatoes and vegetables grown in volcanic soil, you’ll discover how Ustica’s unique environment influences its flavours and local produce and, depending on the season, you may even take part in the harvest.

The farm also preserves another piece of Ustica’s heritage: Pasquale still handcrafts baskets and household objects from wild olive wood and reeds, using traditional weaving techniques passed down through generations.

The experience ends around a shared table, tasting produce from the garden together with the people who grow it.