The dammuso (or ddammúsu in the local dialect) is the soul of Pantelleria’s rural architecture. It was born out of necessity: to shield from the wind, the sun, and the island’s scarce water supply. Its origins are lost in time—its name may come from the Latin domus (house) or the Arabic dammus (vaulted structure). Its distinctive shape—dry-stone walls and domed roof—is a natural response to the volcanic landscape and harsh climate.
The earliest examples may date back to pre-Byzantine times. Originally built using only lava stone and earth, the dammuso evolved with the introduction of lime—brought through trade—improving its resistance and waterproofing.
What is a dammuso like?
The dammuso is a simple yet ingenious construction:
- Thick stone walls that keep the heat out in summer and retain warmth in winter
- White domed roofs that collect rainwater and channel it into underground cisterns
- Small, slit-like windows designed to resist the wind and minimize thermal loss
Its layout is typically square or rectangular. The interior centers around the kámmira, the main living room, with the alcova (arkóva) as a cozy sleeping nook and the kammarínu used as a children's room or storage area.
Utility spaces like stables, wine cellars, and grape presses are left in exposed stone, while living areas are whitewashed for brightness and comfort.
Every feature serves a purpose. Every space is in dialogue with the land. Around the dammuso, you’ll often find small vegetable gardens, date palms, fig and mulberry trees—signs of a subsistence lifestyle in harmony with the island’s rugged nature. And then there’s the iconic giardino pantesco —a walled garden that protects citrus trees and crops from the salty wind.
The dammuso is a gesture of love toward the land. It symbolizes a way of living that is slow, patient, and deeply in tune with nature’s rhythm.
Staying in a dammuso is more than just sleeping in a house.
It means being embraced by the island’s ancient breath, living among its millenary stones, feeling the wind brush the white domes and the silence echoing within thick stone walls. Every dammuso holds stories—of those who built with patience, passed them down with care, and lived with respect.
Sleeping in a dammuso is an intimate, authentic experience, fully immersed in the slow rhythm of nature and memory.
Waking up here feels like being chosen by the island.
Pantelleria tells its story through its dammusi. Discover how to stay in one and book your accommodation now. Island of dammusi: accommodations and pantescan gardens
Content created with the contribution of Gira l'Isola