Utente:Maria Pia Abatino

Get Around

The Tremiti islands are a popular tourist destination, especially from a maritime point of view,

however, it is possible to admire numerous other typical features of the place, both historical and

natural. Starting with the most interesting ones, we reccomend the famous and beautiful

Grotta del Bue Marino, which is more than 70 meters in length and 10 in width, and on its

ceiling it is possible to admire the oldest rocks of the islands of dolomitic limestone of fossil origin.

As you enter the cave, the light gradually decreases until it is totally devoid of light in the

innermost part. The depth of the water reaches about 2 meters. Furthermore, the innermost part

of the cave divides into two branches, one of which overlooks a small beach.

This cave can be admired in the southern part of the island of San Domino, which owes its name to

the monk seal or to the sea lion (a almost totally extinct in the Mediterranean) but which until a

few decades ago wallowed in the waters of the Archipelago.

It is certainly one of the most evocative places to visit, considered the naturalistic wonder it offers

to visitors, the best time to enjoy this magical place is at first light in the morning or at sunset,

when the sun's rays reflect in the shallow waters of the cave.

Another wonderful place the Pineta di San Domino, which rises 116 meters above sea level,

consisting of a long strip of Aleppo pines, as wild as it is bucolic and poetic, which reaches the coast

thanks to two paths rocky; walking through the pine forest it is possible to arrive at the lighthouse

of the island, now in dis-use, but to become a luxury tourist resort, which will offer future tourists

a breathtaking view overlooking the enchanting archipelago.

From the historical and architectural point of view, one of the most important monuments to visit

is the mammoth Abbey of Santa Maria a Mare, built, according to historical data, in the 9th

century by the Benedictine monks of Montecassino, later renovated in 1045, until, following the

invasion of Dalmatian corsairs, despite being surrounded by walls and fortifications, was sacked in

1334, when the monks were killed.

According to mythology, the abbey was built by the hermit San Nicola, to whom, it seems, the

Madonna appeared requesting him to build a sanctuary.

In any case, the abbey of San Nicola became a real fortress, which over the centuries has also

suffered numerous other attacks and invasions, until, in 1700, King Ferdinand IV of Naples

transformed it into a penal colony, and also a theatre of naval battles (in fact it is still possible to

notice the presence of cannon holes).