PROCIDA
campania
Procida, the smallest and less known among the Neapolitan islands, has kept nearly unchanged its mediterranean identity. Connected to the seafaring tradition, it is the ideal destination in every season for who wants a secluded holiday, far from the convulsive routes of the mass tourism. Geologically, Procida belongs to the Phlaegrean Area, that from the ovest zone of Naples joins as far as Cuma. The tufa-ground and the indented coasts confirm its volcanic origin. Respect to Ischia and Capri, famous touristic destinations, Procida presents itself still nowadays, for some points of view, as an island to "discover", full load of a particular charm for the silence of its little streets, the brilliant colours of the ancient buildings, the neighbourhoods that overlook on the sea-shore. The rich vegetation where a mediterranean architecture merges, the limpid and splendid sea, the beautiful coastal-rocks, give landscapes of unusual fascination. The "Marina di Sancio Cattolico", known also as "Marina Grande", is the point of mooring of all the boats and hydrofoils that arrive from Naples or Pozzuoli. Its very coloured houses aligned on the sea are the first evocative image that welcomes the tourist. This suburb of fishermen is dominated by the Castle that sets itself up the edge of the tufo-face that goes down on the sea, in the inside of the highest area of the island, "Terra Murata", the heart of the island. This remarkable neighbourhood-town, that holds medieval little houses with courtyards and gardens, churches, palaces and a castle, is remained nearly intact for three hundred years. Going into for the alleys of the little town, you are ravished by the magic of rhythms out of the time. From the belvedere the view is enchanting.
Characteristic it is the little harbour of "Marina di Corricella", that surprises with its delightful architecture of houses assembled one on the other: with its typical little steps, where open doors and windows, seem nearly a natural stage. The favourite place for the bathers is "Marina di Chiaiolella", a beautiful semicircular creek closed by the promontory of "Santa Margherita Vecchia". The promenade is the touristic walk of the island above others. Separated from the Chiaiolella by a short spit of sea is the beach of Procida, frequented bathing establishment. A long bridge joins the Chiaiolella to the uninhabited little island of Vivara, protected oasis by the WWF. To welcome the Princess Maria Josè (wife of the King Umberto of Savoia), that wanted to walk for Vivara, was built (around 1930s) the actual steps of access to the little island, that before was a big channel. Instead the bridge was built in 1957 by the Neapolitan aqueduct, that still nowadays is the owner, for carry the water from the dry land to Ischia. In the inside of the bridge, in fact, pass the pipings that continue below the stairs that lead to Vivara and go on towards Ischia by submarine roads. Until 1999, before that the gates of Vivara were closed for the unfit for use of the bridge, was possible to take part to free guided visit; now to visit Vivara we need a permission by the municipality of Procida.
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