If you are planning an holiday in Pantelleria, you need to consider to sleep in one of the charming ancient building located in the island: the Dammusi.
The Dammusi are typical house belonging to the charming Island of Pantelleria. The name of these ancient buildings originates from the Arabic word “dammus” which refers to the particular shape of its vault. Built by Arabs in 1123 before they were defeated by Normans who conquered the island along with the rest of the archipelago. The buildings are characterized by small windows called “Stone Eyes” and are formed by three rooms: the kammira (the main room), the arkova and kammirino.
The roof has a huge vault which allows the channeling of rainwater to the cisterns without losing a single drop! The mighty walls of the building protect the interior from outside temperatures, creating an environment cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Near the building there is “U Jardino” (the garden) which is a space entirely dedicated to the cultivation of citrus trees such as lemons, limes and oranges.
Today you can still find some beautiful Dammusi in Pantelleria which have been turned into charming and fascinating Hotels and B&Bs.