Italy Panorama

Adriatic Coast, Abruzzo

Rustic, rickety-looking structures perch precariously over the water, resembling giant wooden crabs emerging from the sea. Called trabocchi, they are simplistic fishing platforms dotting the coastline of southern Abruzzo, from Francavilla al Mare to Vasto.

Long antennae-like poles and pulleys operate the rudimentary mechanism to lower and raise the nets, then haul the catch onto the wooden floor of the platform. The trabocchi have been in use here since the 15th century.

Trabocchi near Rocca San Giovanni

All along the so-called Costa dei Trabocchi, olive-studded hills rise from the Adriatic, clean pebble beaches remain mostly open and free, and the skies are not a placid pastel but an intense and imposing blue to match the uncontaminated sea.  Secluded coves offer excellent swimming with these unusual but lovely platforms as a backdrop.

Trabocchi with fishing nets

Even many Italians are unaware of this lovely coastline.  Information is hard to come by in both English and Italian, just one of those unique things about Italy that only the locals have knowledge of.  The trabocchi can be difficult to locate as they are tucked into coves far below the coastal road and usually require a short walk down a steep include to reach them.  To get up close, try the beach near the old rail station at San Vito Chietino near Lanciano.