Ponza - A Brief History

Ponza is the largest of the Isole Pontine. It is approximately 8 km long by 2.4 km wide. In prehistoric times, the islands’ earliest inhabitants exploited the natural resource of obsidian found mainly on the on nearby island of Palmarola and worked on Zannone. There is ample evidence for Greek and Etruscan presence on the island alluding to the importance of this island on early maritime routes. However, it was not until the 4th century BC that the island was eventually colonised by the Romans.

The latter constructed a tunnel joining the main harbour to the anchorage at Chiaia di Luna. This enabled the transport of men and goods from one landing place to another. During Roman times, the island was used as a place of exile for members of the Roman imperial family. Nero Caesar, eldest brother of Caligula, was taken to Ponza in AD 29, where he was put to death. Later on, two of his sisters, Agrippina the Younger, mother of the emperor Nero, and Julia Livilla were sent to Ponza in AD 39 for participating in a plot to overthrow Caligula. Eventually, these were recalled to Rome in AD 41.

By the early Middle Ages, the situation in the Mediterranean had become unstable. Ponza was abandoned due to constant sea raids. Despite such raids, the island became a centre for monasticism. In 1552, Dragut led a fleet of over 150 ships to the island where he stayed to repair and refit his vessels. In order to secure the islands, a process of colonization was started in the late 16th century, which was accompanied by the building of towers, houses and storage facilities. It was during the 18th century that the Kingdom of Naples came into possession of the island. The Bourbons re-colonized the island constructing much of the town and harbour as can be presently seen. Today, Ponza’s economy is driven by fishing and tourism.