Peschici on the Gargano Peninsula

Peschici Coastal Charm

The small town of Peschici sits on a rocky outcrop jutting into the Adriatic on the Gargano Peninsla. The houses of Peschici sprawl across this hostile cliff-top and spill in tiers down the terraced cliff face below. From the streets you will see on the horizon the islands of Croatia - the closest only 32 kilometers away.

Peschici is a stunningly beautiful fishing village which tumbles down its rocky hillside. It is reminiscent in many ways of the villages of the Sorrentine Peninsula, in its rocky outcrops and steep cliff faces. However Peschici is different in that it is still essentially a fishing village rather than a tourist resort.



Whilst the numbers do swell in the summer months the streets are never overcrowded and as the peak of the season passes, the numbers quickly drop away again.







Around Peschici the Gargano national parks spread out to the north and south creating carpets of green forestry broken by the promontories and coves which dot the coast. The juxtaposition of white-washed Italian villages fringed by verdant green forests creates the variety and contrast which the Gargano Peninsula is known for.













In Peschici itself, the narrow streets twist and wind up the hillside to the apex where the views stretch out in all directions. Peschici has a long and ancient history. A nearby cave has traces of prehistoric inhabitants and nearby also, are the ruins of one of Italy's most ancient abbeys. On this hilltop remain the walls of a sturdy castle, and these walls are incorporated into the houses, shops and cafes below.

This is a Norman castle and bridge tower, dating from the eleventh century. It marks the heart of the village, and the churches and white washed houses crowd around the cobbled streets and courtyards at its foot. Villagers and locals gather in the village square below the castle as each day ends and the warm sun rebounds off the cobbles. Laughter and chatter fill the warm twilight air as dusk falls and a shared meal is enjoyed.

Peschici with its glorious harbour, its sandy beaches and its historic Old Town is a gem to be discovered and enjoyed. It is small, - no more than a large village or a small town. It is true to its past but understands that its future is as much about the visitors that come as it is about the unpredictable sea in all its moods, which surrounds it.

Also Pip McCurdy's New Zealand posts:

On Blogspot, Pip McCurdy on the Road

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