Ferry from San Nicola (Tremiti) to Vieste

San Nicola Guide

The island of San Nicolas is located in the Isole Tremiti Archipelago in the Adriatic Sea, and lies just to the north of the Gargano Peninsular. The archipelago is made up of 5 islands: San Domino, St. Nicholas, Cretaccio, Capraia and Pianosa, and collectively, the islands form a commune of Italy's Province of Foggia and form part of the Gargano National Park. The island has been inhabited since the Iron Age (4th - 3rd centuries BC) and the Tremiti islands have been a place of confinement since ancient times. Roman emperor Augustus had his granddaughter Julia the Younger transferred here, where she died after 20 years. The island chain was ruled by the Abbey of Santa Maria a Mare at San Nicolas island during the Middle Ages. The Abbey was supposedly founded in the 9th century by Benedictine Monks from Montecassino. The islands were also used for the detention of political prisoners during the Fascist regime of Mussolini. Today, the islands are an important tourist destination because of their crystal clear warm waters. San Nicola is where most of the population live and is the site of a monastery where a monk named Nicolò was buried. Legend has it that every time someone tried to move his corpse off the island, a violent storm would break out, preventing navigation around the island.

Vieste Guide

The Italian town of Vieste is located on the easternmost part of the Gargano Peninsular and is sometimes referred to as the "capital" of the Gargano. The town. Which has a population of around 12,000 welcomes many tourists during the summer months who visit the town to sample its magnificent beaches by day, and to stroll through the lovely town by night. There are many things to see and do in the town and a popular attraction is the centro storico that is located on the rocky point of San Francesco with its lovely 11th century cathedral that was constructed on the site of an earlier church. Inside the cathedral there are marble portraits that depict the Madonna and Child and Stories of Christ and the Virgin. Located a short distance from the cathedral, and standing just over 40 meters above the sea, is the castle that was built by Frederick Ii in 1240 in order to deter pirates from attacking. The castle was subsequently altered during the 16th century. The town has not always been a popular tourist destination and was at one time only frequented by pilgrims heading to the shrine at Monte Sant' Angelo.