Procida: History, Nature and Island Cuisine

Procida brings together a range of travel interests: historic sites, coastal scenery, protected nature and maritime traditions. Terra Murata offers views of the island’s history and the Gulf of Naples; Marina Corricella combines the character of a fishing village with distinctive architecture, while Vivara is known for nature and birdlife. When planning your trip, you can choose what to focus on depending on whether you are most interested in the island’s history, landscape or local cuisine.

Terra Murata, the Abbey and the Island’s History

Terra Murata sits at the highest point on Procida and offers panoramic views across the Gulf of Naples. The area’s history includes the fortifications built in 1563: “la Terra” was equipped with defensive walls and watchtowers and subsequently named Terra Murata. The view across the gulf adds a scenic perspective to the history of the fortifications.

The Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo has its own historical timeline: it was founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1026. Its church was later dedicated to San Michele Arcangelo, probably towards the end of the 15th century, making him Procida’s patron saint. The monastery’s foundation and the church’s dedication therefore belong to different periods. There is also a practical detail to help you find your way around the building: the abbey has two entrances, and the main entrance is called Porta del Carmine.

The museums add archaeology and seafaring to these themes. The exhibition at the Museo Civico di Procida, dedicated to Sebastiano Tusa, includes a selection of representative archaeological finds from Vivara. The Museo del Mare di Procida was established in 1996 to promote the island’s centuries-old seafaring traditions. The two museums thus focus on different subjects: archaeological finds from Vivara and Procida’s maritime heritage.

Vivara and the Coastal Landscape

More than 95 percent of Vivara’s surface is covered by natural vegetation. The island also plays an important role as a resting and feeding place for birds along their migration routes between Europe and Africa. The large proportion of natural vegetation and its importance for bird migration reveal two different aspects of this natural environment.

The Riserva Naturale Statale Isola di Vivara reopened to the public on August 28, 2026. Access is possible only with an online reservation made in advance. If you are considering a visit, plan to book ahead and check the available booking options.

Long beaches stretch along Procida’s east and west coasts, between cliffs and scenic promontories. They offer opportunities to take nature walks high above the sea. Marina Corricella can be reached in two ways: by sea or via four stairways. The stairways make clear that access to Corricella is not limited to arriving by sea.

Marina Corricella and Procida’s Cuisine

Marina Corricella is Procida’s oldest fishing village. Its present-day form began to take shape in the 17th century as an example of organic architecture. Its history and architecture give the village a cultural perspective distinct from the story of Terra Murata’s fortifications. Cala Pozzo Vecchio is also known as “Spiaggia del Postino.”

Local specialties also contribute to the island’s culture. Procida’s lemons, known as “limoni pane,” are used for juice, served in slices and featured in the classic salad. Lemon also flavors the cream in Lingua di pasta sfoglia, a characteristic island dessert. A look at the local cuisine thus reveals a connection between the use of lemons in different dishes and their role in a typical dessert.

Discover more destinations: Schiazzano, Termini-Massa Lubrense, Palma Campania, Capri, Calvizzano, Sant'Anastasia, Quarto, San Vitaliano.

For the main travel overview: Naples.