Excursion to the Cheradi Islands
A only 3 nautical miles from the navigable channel of the city of Taranto, two small islands emerge from the blue sea: San Pietro and San Paolo.
The prohibition of landing and disembarking by the Navy has preserved the rich ecosystem and the incredible beauty of the Island of San Pietro which has turned out to be a real naturalistic oasis.
Today San Pietro is open to visitors and Charter in Puglia offers you the possibility to rent one of its dinghies to spend a whole day relaxing in this pristine paradise. You will also be able to admire the Laclos Fort on the island of San Paolo and on your way back pass under the swing bridge to greet passers-by.
The history of the archipelago
AIn the past, the Cheradi were known to the Greeks as the Elettridi Islands, both in honor of the daughter of the god of the sea Poseidon, and for the presence of bituminous trees from which they obtained the electro, a precious amber with which some of the famous golden jewels were created. National Museum of Taranto MarTA.
Also according to the Greek tradition, the famous architect Daedalus who designed the labyrinth of the Minotaur, fleeing the island of Crete, would have landed on these islands leaving two statues, one in tin and the other in bronze. During the Middle Ages the islands hosted churches and monasteries and were even dominated by the Turks.
Tradition says that Saint Peter both landed on the island which then took his name and it is said that while he was kneeling, he left his mark on a stone which was given the name of "apodonia", which was transported to Venice by some Venetian sailors.
Napoleon Bonaparte built on the island of San Paolo the Fort Laclos in honor of the Artillery General Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, buried there in 1803.
