L’incredibile bellezza del maggiore promontorio fra il Conero e il Gargano
Punta Aderci is a enchanting place in the truest sense of the word. Approaching the point on the dirt road that connects it to the industrial area of Punta Penna, or from the one that comes from Mottagrossa, allows you to admire the promontory that stands out against the sea in a completely wild scenario that recalls much different latitudes.
The colors at Punta Aderci change with the seasons. From the deep brown of the earth turned over by plows after winter, to the vivid yellow of the blooming broom and the green of early summer. The contrast with the blue of the sea is always fascinating, especially on windy days when the Adriatic also becomes a palette ranging from the light blue of sandy shores to the deep blue of the open sea.
Today, Punta Aderci, besides being the highest promontory between Conero and Gargano, is undoubtedly the most beautiful and unspoiled natural site in the central Adriatic on the Italian side. From its height of 36 meters above sea level, the view extends for tens of kilometers along the Trabocchi Coast, while towards the land, the Maiella and Gran Sasso massifs loom large.
At the base of the rocky slope, easily accessible from the small beach north of the promontory, there are caves and coves. Above the rocks that extend into the sea, there is a characteristic “Trabocco,” a traditional fishing machine.
The name Punta Aderci originally, and still in the Vasto dialect, was “Punta d’Erce,” because this place was anciently consecrated to Herkle, or Hercules of the Italic populations, especially the Frentani, who inhabited these places before the Romans. Remains from the Bronze Age (1500 B.C.) to the 6th century A.D. have been found on the promontory. Moreover, on its slopes, near the natural harbor provided by the beach to the north of Punta, granary pits dating back to around 1000 A.D. are still visible, evidence of the presence of a small commercial port.
The inability to defend the site and the turbulent history from the Kingdom of Naples led to its abandonment by the local populations, who concentrated further south in the Vasto area. The development of the industrial port after World War II kept tourism at bay, but also real estate speculation, bringing this wonderful natural beauty to us today.
