L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025 L'Italo-Americano ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS PEOPLE ACTIVITIES more technical exploration, with underwater corridors and pockets of air located nearly 20 meters below the surface. The Isola di Dino is also a vital refuge for plant and animal life. Its limestone cliffs and slopes are covered i n M e d i t e r r a n e a n s c r u b , including rare species such a s t h e d w a r f f a n p a l m (Chamaerops humilis), wild orchids, and the stunning Palinuro primrose (Primula palinuri), a protected species that thrives in only a few locations along Italy's south- ern coast. The plant's pale y e l l o w b l o s s o m s c l i n g t o rocky outcrops, nourished by the sea breeze and spring rains. Their presence, along- side other endemic species, has earned the island recog- nition as a Site of Commu- nity Interest (SIC) under European conservation guidelines. The cliffs provide nesting grounds for seabirds, includ- ing yellow-legged gulls and shaped them, and is rich in visual and geological appeal. One of the most famous is the Grotta Azzurra, or Blue Cave, which dazzles visitors with its changing shades of turquoise and sapphire cre- ated by the reflection of light off the cave walls and seabed. A n o t h e r , t h e G r o t t a d e l Leone, is named for a natu- r a l l y s c u l p t e d r o c k t h a t resembles a crouching lion, s e e m i n g l y g u a r d i n g t h e entrance. The Grotta delle C a s c a t e i s k n o w n f o r t h e sounds of cascading water echoing through its interior, while local fishermen once relied on the Grotta delle Sardine, where schools of sardines were known to gath- er in its shaded shallows. The G r o t t a d e l M o n a c o , o r M o n k ' s C a v e , i s k n o w n because, according to leg- ends, its quiet, shadowy inte- rior was said to have shel- t e r e d a s o l i t a r y h e r m i t centuries ago. For experi- enced divers, the submerged G r o t t a G a r g i u l o o f f e r s a cormorants. In the surround- ing waters, the biodiversity continues: shoals of mullet, sea bream, and bass frequent the inlets, while divers report sightings of moray eels, octo- p u s e s , a n d , i n q u i e t e r months, even dolphins. The waters around the island are part of a proposed marine protected area, with ongoing efforts aimed at sustainable tourism and ecological moni- toring. Despite its natural isola- t i o n , t h e i s l a n d i s e a s i l y accessible to visitors. From the nearby town of Praia a Mare, boats depart regularly for tours of the island, espe- cially in the summer months, with many of them offering guided cave visits, snorkeling stops, and insights into the island's geological and cul- tural past. Independent trav- elers can also explore the island by kayak, paddling from the mainland and cir- cling its perimeter to discov- er the caves and beaches at their own pace. I n r e c e n t y e a r s , l o c a l authorities and environmen- tal groups have collaborated to reintroduce structured tourism on the island: after a long period of private own- ership and limited access, the island is now more open to the public, though protec- tions are in place to limit damage from overuse. Trails have been partially restored, and new signage helps edu- cate visitors about the flora a n d f a u n a , a s w e l l a s t h e island's cultural heritage. Still, much of the Isola di Dino remains untouched, offering a rare example of w h a t t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n might have looked like before the arrival of mass tourism. Plans are in motion to for- malize its status as a nature reserve, with the goal of bal- ancing visitor access with ecosystem preservation; local initiatives also aim to include the island in regional eco- tourism networks, promoting Calabria as a destination for sustainable travel, not only beach holidays. These devel- opments are especially wel- c o m e i n a r e g i o n t h a t remains less developed than its northern counterparts, yet rich in cultural and natural wealth. g y . I n t h e 9 t h c e n t u r y , i t endured Saracen raids, and i n 1 6 0 0 , a f i e r c e c l a s h o c c u r r e d w h e n O t t o m a n ships attacked the island's defenders, who were led by F r a n c e s c o V i t i g n o . Though they resisted valiant- ly, the defenders were even- t u a l l y o v e r w h e l m e d . T h e island returned to the spot- light in the early 19th centu- ry during the Napoleonic W a r s , w h e n t h e A n g l o - Bourbon fleet used it as a forward base. Then, in 1815, King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies granted the noble title of "Duke of Dino" to the F r e n c h d i p l o m a t C h a r l e s Maurice de Talleyrand, link- i n g t h e i s l a n d t o o n e o f Europe's most well-known political figures. Today, the Isola di Dino is best known for its extraor- dinary sea caves, which encircle much of its perime- ter and are accessible only by boat or kayak; each cave has its own character, created by h o w c e n t u r i e s o f e r o s i o n J ust a few hundred meters off the Cal- abrian coast, oppo- s i t e t h e t o w n o f Praia a Mare, lies the Isola di Dino, a small island that many Italians have heard of, but few have a c t u a l l y v i s i t e d . W i t h i t s s h e e r l i m e s t o n e c l i f f s , ancient sea caves, and lush Mediterranean scrub, it is the kind of place that appears unexpectedly along the hori- z o n , q u i e t a n d s e l f - c o n - tained, offering a striking contrast to the busier beach- es nearby. Despite its modest size – just over 50 hectares – the Isola di Dino holds a surpris- ing amount of history and natural richness. Once the site of military clashes and noble titles, and now the sub- ject of environmental inter- est and renewed tourism, the island is a compelling exam- ple of Calabria's overlooked beauty. Those who make the s h o r t b o a t t r i p f r o m t h e mainland quickly understand why this rocky outcrop has long captured the imagina- tion of locals, scientists, and travelers alike. Rising to 100 meters at its highest point, the island is p a r t o f t h e R i v i e r a d e i C e d r i , a c o a s t a l s t r e t c h known for its pristine waters and dramatic rock forma- tions; here the landscape is rugged and unspoiled, with vertical cliffs plunging into the Tyrrhenian Sea, making it particularly attractive to nature lovers and adventur- ers. Approaching the island by boat, one immediately f a l l s i n a w e o f i t s w i l d appearance: dense with vege- tation, ringed by caverns, a n d m a r k e d b y c o m p l e t e silence, save for the cry of seabirds and the rhythmic wash of waves. The origin of the name "Dino" has long been debat- ed: some believe it comes from the Greek word dina, meaning "storm" or "vortex," in reference to the strong currents and whirlpools that s o m e t i m e s e n c i r c l e t h e island. Others trace the name to aedina, suggesting that a temple to Venus may once h a v e s t o o d o n i t s c l i f f s , reflecting the area's deep- rooted connection to ancient G r e e k c o l o n i z a t i o n a l o n g southern Italy's coast. History, however, has left its mark on the island in less abstract ways than mytholo- CHIARA D'ALESSIO Cliffs, caves, and legends: a journey to Isola di Dino The Isola di Dino and Praia a Mare (Photo: Jojjik/Dreamstime)

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