Procida

About this place

Procida is one of the Phlegraean Islands in the Bay of Naples, southern Italy, between Cape Miseno and the island of Ischia, about 24 km southwest of Naples in a straight line. It has about 10,000 residents and, with the tiny islet of Vivara, forms one municipality. Its name comes from the Latin Prochyta. Greek objects from the 16th century BC have been found here, Greek settlers arrived in the 8th century BC, and in Roman times it became a resort for the patrician class. In the Middle Ages its people took refuge in a fortified village on a cliff-protected headland, the Terra Murata. The houses of the little harbour of Corricella line the water's edge in pink, yellow, blue and white, with arches and outside stairways, while fishing boats bob in front. The fortified Terra Murata quarter rises above, with views over the bay and Ischia. Visitors arrive by ferry from Naples or Pozzuoli, wander the narrow lanes down to Corricella and climb to the Terra Murata for the view. The island is calm compared with Capri and Ischia, with small beaches and fish restaurants on the harbour.