Dinner by the ocean

Stepping out from the mainland onto a delicate bridge floating above the sparkling, crystalline waters of the Adriatic is an exhilarating journey! The gentle lapping against exposed rocks tells enchanting tales of farmers and sailors, creating a poetic experience for anyone stepping onto a trabocco for the first time. The intricate structure, appearing so delicate yet resilient enough to sway with the sea's whims without breaking, is absolutely awe-inspiring!

These ancient fishing machines boldly extend over the sea, spanning the 54-kilometer stretch of coastline running from the seaside village of Ortona, through San Vito Chietino and Fossacesia until it reaches the marvellous Natural Reserve of Punta Aderci. While their rustic, Polynesian-stilt-house appearance has remained unchanged for centuries, the trabocchi of Abruzzo have evolved internally over the years, emerging as thriving restaurants in their most modern form.

The trabocchi are constructed from spiny acacia, a resilient and salt-resistant wood, featuring a platform suspended over the sea and anchored to the rocky coast by a walkway of boards secured with stakes. Wooden arms, known as “antennae,” support the nets and are operated via a winch crafted from a tree trunk. Although the configuration might seem to rely on balance and chance, the braces are expertly designed to ensure the trabocco remains flexible enough to follow sea currents and withstand their force without collapsing.

Believed originally to have been constructed to take advantage of timber shipments up and down the coast, the farmers adapted to using the platforms for fishing to supplement their incomes when the land was blanketed in snow. Changes to the climate, temperatures and fish stock mean that the trabocchi life-style is no longer economically viable . These structures are no longer family owned, but have been bought and adapted to provide hospitality services. The new lease on life ensures the preservation of the trabocchi, the interest of a wider audience, the income generated from tourists and provides a destination for locals to continue their relationships with these unique buildings.