Cheradi Islands, Archipelago in Gulf of Taranto, Italy.
The Cheradi Islands form a small group of two adjacent islands in the Gulf of Taranto near the port. San Pietro and San Paolo sit close together and create a natural wall that shelters a large basin of water.
The islands received their modern names in 1783, with San Pietro being the larger of the two and traditionally linked to Saint Peter's travels. Before that period, they were known by an ancient name that referred to the resinous trees growing there.
The islands served as monastic centers during the Middle Ages, with monks building stone structures that you can still see from the water today. These religious communities shaped how the islands were used for centuries and left behind traces of their daily life.
The islands are restricted because of military installations, and you cannot visit freely without permission. Access is only possible through authorized boat services that handle the required clearances.
Until 1950, the islands carried an ancient name referring to the resinous trees that produced a valued substance in antiquity. Few visitors realize this detail about the islands' earlier identity and what made them worth noticing in classical times.
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