Tremiti Islands

Located 12 miles away from the northern coast of Gargano, Tremiti Islands are a must see for all sea lovers.

For the beauty of its pristine landscapes, together with the clarity of the water, people often refer to this archipelago as the Pearl of the Adriatic sea.

Tremiti comprise five islands: San Nicola, San Domino, Crepaccio, Caprara and Pianosa. The latter is isolated from the others, being located about 11 miles away.

All five islands share similar features, such as rocky coasts and a very low population density (some islands being completely uninhabited).

In 1989, Tremiti Islands have become part of the National Park of Gargano, as a Natural Marine Reserve. 

Historical Notes

The first traces of human life on the islands date back to Neolithic. The original name of the archipelago was Insulae Diomedeae. This derives from the name of the Greek hero Diomede, whose burial, according to the myth, was found on one of the islands (probably San Domino).

The name Tremiti, however, appears only at a later time, in some cartographies of the Medieval ages. Up to the 13th century, the islands were part of the territory of the Benedictine monks of Monte Cassino.

After an inquiry conducted by the Papal State, the Benedictine monks lost control of these territories, and the abbey which they had founded on the island of St. Nicholas, was given to the Cistercian monks of St. Bernard.

In the 15th century the abbey, as the result of a decision of Pope Gregory XII, was assigned to the Lateran Regular Canons friars.

The following years were quiet and peaceful, allowing the Canons to put into place some restoration works on the abbey, bringing it back to its original splendour. Unfortunately, all this did not last long. In fact, in the 18th century, the abbey was definitely destroyed, and the island was made into a penal colony.