Where they are, what’s beautiful to see and where to stay
Among the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea emerges an unexpected paradise: the archipelago of the Tremiti Islands is one of those destinations not to be missed if you arrive in Puglia.
Located twenty-two kilometers north of the Gargano and about forty-five kilometers from Termoli, where the waters are tinged with an intense blue, the Tremiti Islands conquer for their natural beauty and interesting monuments.
Travellers who reach the archipelago can admire landscapes, explore ancient monasteries and immerse themselves in the culture of these islands in the heart of the Adriatic.
How many are the Tremiti Islands?
The archipelago of the Tremiti Islands is composed of three main islands, San Domino, San Nicola and Capraia, but also embraces smaller islands such as Pianosa, Cretaccio and La Vecchia.
Which of the Tremiti Islands is inhabited? Administratively, with just under five hundred residents between San Nicola and San Domino, they constitute a scattered municipality located in the province of Foggia. The administrative centre is located on the island of San Nicola, which serves as the archipelago’s capital.
A brief history of the Tremiti Islands
The Tremiti Islands have a history of timeless charm that allows you to appreciate each glimpse differently.
Inhabited since ancient times, these lands were mainly used as a territory of confinement. For example, during Roman times, the islands were known as Trimerus and housed prominent exiles, such as the niece of Augustus and Paul the Deacon.
Under Mussolini’s regime, despite the absence of laws, many homosexuals were deported to San Domino and remained there until the need for soldiers and places of imprisonment occurred in the 1940s. Later, San Domino was transformed into an internment camp for anti-fascist politicians, Jews and Libyans.
The islands are linked to the events of the abbey of Santa Maria a Mare, founded in the ninth century by the Benedictines as an ideal extension of the abbey of Montecassino and religious hub of the Tremiti.
During the eleventh century, the abbey reached its maximum splendour, hosting famous people and expanding its possessions up to the Gargano, the Land of Bari, Molise and Abruzzo.
The abbey of Santa Maria a Mare saw new life thanks to the Lateran canons and also underwent an important expansion, but then was suppressed by Ferdinand IV of Naples.
During the following centuries, the Tremiti Islands were the scene of various historical events, including the creation of a penal colony in the late eighteenth century by order of Ferdinand IV of Naples, the resistance of the followers of Joachim Murat to the English assaults and the period of confinement during the fascist regime, which saw the presence of illustrious prisoners such as Sandro Pertini and Amerigo Dumini.
Today, the Tremiti Islands have changed face and remain a tourist destination appreciated for its natural beauty, its pristine beaches and rich history.
Foto : Foggia Today
The legend behind the Tremiti Islands
In ancient times, the Tremiti Islands were known as “Insulae Diomedeae”, bringing their origin to the Greek hero Diomedes buried in these lands.
Legend has it that the king of Argos, after the Trojan War, discovered the conspiracy organized against him by his wife Egialea and her lover. Then, resuming the sea aimlessly, landed on the coastal area of Gargano, where he married the daughter of King Daunus and, with stones brought from his land, delimited the boundaries of the new kingdom, Daunia. The three unused boulders were thrown into the sea, but re-emerged giving rise to the islands of San Domino, San Nicola and Capraia.
It is also said that the Goddess Venus transformed Diomedes’ fellow travelers into sea birds known as “Diomedes”, destined to watch eternally over her tomb of the dead king in a duel.
Lucio Dalla and his connection with the Tremiti Islands
The Tremiti Islands have always exercised a certain charm on Lucio Dalla, becoming one of his favorite places. The enchantment of the clear waters, the magical atmosphere of the seabed and the beauty of the coves inspired its most romantic melodies.
The singer-songwriter fully lived these lands: he owned a house overlooking the picturesque Cala Matana in San Domino (place that gave its name to the song “Luna Matana”) and had set up a recording room on the island.
What’s so great about the Tremiti Islands?
The Tremiti Islands offer a wide range of attractions and activities that well meets the needs of every type of traveller.
Nature lovers consider the Tremiti Islands a true paradise, with paths that wind through the vegetation and allow you to explore the various natural beauties, including those of the island of San Domino, famous for its dense pine forest and sea caves.
The crystal clear waters of the archipelago invite you to dive surrounded by the characteristic landscape of the islands or to explore the rich seabed. Sports enthusiasts can also rent canoes and kayaks.
The most curious can visit the sea caves by boat, through guided or free excursions, admiring the views of the limestone cliffs that rise from the sea, both those less known and those more known as the cave of Bue Marino, the cave of the Viole and the cave of the Swallows of San Domino.
The island of San Nicola encloses the historical vicissitudes of the Tremiti Islands in the abbey of Santa Maria a Mare, from the features of Romanesque art to Byzantine influences up to the holes of the English cannonades still visible on the facade. In addition to the abbey, the island is dotted with other churches, fortifications, towers and other historical evidence, such as the Tower of the Knight de Crocifisso and the Badiali Castle.
How to get around the Tremiti Islands and where to stay
Where do you embark for the Tremiti Islands and how do you get around the Tremiti Islands? The islands can be reached by taking a ferry or a hydrofoil from the port of Termoli all year round and from the ports of Rodi Garganico, Vieste, Peschici and Manfredonia from spring to the end of summer. Between the islands we move with inflatables and motorboats.
Those who wish to venture into a unique travel experience can stay in one of the accommodation facilities on the Tremiti Islands. From hotels to bed and breakfasts to holiday homes, they offer a wide range of solutions to choose from, suitable for any travel style and budget.
Copertina: Foggia Today
