This guide will take you on an exploratory journey to the Piscina di Venere (Venus Pool), an enchanting natural pool tucked away among the wonders of Capo Milazzo.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARCO CRUPI

The Piscina di Venere (Pool of Venus) is a natural lagoon located at Punta Messinese, the farthest point of Capo Milazzo. In recent years, this natural pool has gained increasing popularity and has become a must-see spot for anyone visiting the Capo Milazzo Nature Reserve.

View of the Capo Milazzo Nature Reserve from the west.

Amidst ancient villas, olive groves perched above the sea, and prickly pears vying with brambles for the forgotten corners untouched by humans, an afternoon stroll at Capo Milazzo will inevitably lead you to the Piscina di Venere, where a breathtaking sunset over the Aeolian Islands awaits.

The Piscina di Venere (Pool of Venus), a rocky cove seemingly crafted by a divine brushstroke, is one of those rare sights that makes you wonder if beauty is, in the end, just a whim of the gods.

Legend has it that Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, would bathe in its waters to purify herself and reclaim the virginity that, it is said, vanished with each of her amorous encounters. This tranquil body of water, nestled between rugged rocks and wild vegetation, resembles a scene from a Greek tragedy, with the island of Vulcano (Volcano) visible in the distance.

Vulcano, steeped in mythology as well, is not just a smoldering mass of rock; it is the domain of the god Vulcan (Efesto in Greek mythology), the lame blacksmith and husband of Venus. According to legend, he would watch his beautiful wife from afar, driven by both love and jealousy. Imagining them both in this setting – she immersed in the waters to rejuvenate, and he spying from a safe distance, perhaps hidden behind the fumaroles of his volcano – transforms the Pool of Venus into a theater of emotions, where the divine and the human blend seamlessly.

To reach the Piscina di Venere, also known as the “Laghetto di Venere,” follow the road parallel to the Milazzo port (Via Francesco Crispi), which then becomes SP72bis. When you arrive at the intersection with Via Sant’Antonio, turn right towards Capo Milazzo.

Continuing straight on SP72, you’ll reach Piazza Belvedere, where free parking is available, and you can enjoy a stunning view of the promontory. Before heading towards the Piscina di Venere, you can also visit the nearby Sanctuary of Sant’Antonio.

The Milazzo Castle.

The Capo Milazzo Lighthouse.

The trail winding through the nature reserve is immersed in Mediterranean scrubland. Near the Capo Milazzo Lighthouse, there’s a stunning olive grove. Instead of heading straight to your destination, we suggest taking a detour towards the eastern side of the Cape: from here, you can enjoy a captivating view of the lighthouse perched atop the cliff. Continuing on, just before reaching the staircase, there’s another viewpoint overlooking the Bay of Sant’Antonio; in the distance, you can catch a glimpse of Milazzo Castle.

Here begins a charming stone staircase that leads down to the Piscina di Venere, often referred to by many as the “Stairway to Heaven”. Stretching for about 250 meters, it’s an easy descent that even children can navigate with ease. However, caution is advised, as it is, after all, an unfenced cliffside.

From the top of the staircase, it’s impossible to miss an ancient structure: the old watchtower of the Capo Milazzo tuna fishery.

The Piscina di Venere lies at the foot of the staircase. Surrounded by a ring of rocks and boulders, it fills with seawater during high tide and retains it during low tide. This creates a continuous water exchange: warm and shallow, it’s perfect for swimming.

If you’ve chosen to take this walk in the late afternoon, from the Piscina di Venere you’ll be treated to an unforgettable sunset over the Aeolian Islands. From west to east, you can spot Alicudi, Filicudi, Vulcano, Lipari, and Salina. On your way back, we suggest taking a different route: follow the path along the Bay of Sant’Antonio that passes through the old fishermen’s village. This trail is about 1 km long and is also quite easy to walk.