D'Annunzio called them "fishing machines resembling colossal spiders." The trabocchi are wooden stilts built in the late 19th century by Abruzzo fishermen—unstable, rickety structures, yet capable of withstanding 120 years of stormy seas. Suspended over the water, they creak in the wind. And on the hill above, the centuries-old olive trees: gnarled like dragon’s roots, the fruit of generations of Abruzzo farmers.
The itinerary brings these two symbols of the region into dialogue: we start at the Il Giardino fra gli Ulivi farmhouse (by reservation, with the option to visit the historic olive grove and taste extra virgin olive oil), descend toward the coast to visit the Trabocco Punta Le Morge (managed by the Lu Travocche Association, the only trabocco in the municipal area), and stop at the wild Fosso del Diavolo before concluding at Le Morge.
What makes this tour special is the combination of two landscapes that tell the same story—human adaptation to a challenging terrain of sea and stone. The mood is poetic, contemplative, perfect for photographers and lovers of the slow life. The light on the trabocco at sunset is legendary; the light on the olive trees in the morning is no less stunning.
Suitable for those who love photography, nature, and local history. About two and a half hours total, including driving and short walks. Handy tip: on Sunday mornings and Thursday afternoons in July and August, the Lu Travocche Association opens the trabocco for tours and fishing demonstrations (info: 350 1431276, weather permitting). For lunch, Ristoro Punta Le Morge is just a stone’s throw away. Best time to visit: April–June for the blossoms, October–November for the olive harvest.
Good to know
- Trabocco visit: In July–August, on Sunday mornings and Thursday afternoons, free tours with demonstrations of traditional fishing (weather permitting) — info: Lu Travocche Association, tel. 350 1431276, [email protected]
- For lunch: Ristoro Punta Le Morge, just a stone’s throw from the trabocco — seafood cuisine featuring local catches and a view of the trabocco from the terrace
- Il Giardino fra gli Ulivi is a farmstay: book in advance for a tour of the olive grove and extra virgin olive oil tasting
- Best time to visit: October–November for the olive harvest (you can see the mill in action)
- Camera: the light on the trabocco at sunset is legendary
Best time to visit: April–June (blooming season). October–November (olive harvest)
How to get there: on foot and by car