The anchorages of Cala Matano are located on San Domino Island, in the Tremiti archipelago of Puglia The island of San Domino is by extent the first island in Puglia as well as in the aforementioned archipelago.
Along the entire coast of the island there are several coves and caves to be discovered by boat excursions. Among the many, proceeding clockwise from the ports of San Domino, is Cala Matano also known as Cala Duchessa named after Duchess Matano, wife of Commendatore Elia, administrator of the archipelago. The sandy bottom of this anchorage of the Foggia archipelago makes the water clear and transparent.
The splendid cove, wild and evocative in its charm, is surrounded by lush vegetation and smooth limestone rocks, formed by a natural bay that, descending sheer to the sea, has left this small cove at the bottom, which can also be easily reached by land from above along a charming path. The sea that bathes the cove is extraordinarily turquoise, crystal clear and transparent, ideal for swimming and bathing. It is a wild land, where hordes of seagulls are the masters of the island. There is also a charming little beach with the possibility of renting a sunbed and umbrella. It is probably also thanks to these features that this cove was included in the 2013 Legambiente survey among the most beautiful beaches in Italy along with more famous and emblazoned competitors.
A splendid and well-served cove, then, consisting of a large area with smooth rocks, overlooked by the pine forest that comes within a few steps of the sea, which provides pleasant shelter from the sun in the hottest hours, if necessary.
It is easy to understand why Lucio Dalla loved this island and this sea, and the reason why these magical places were the inspiration for his wonderful songs that he wrote and sang. From this picturesque cove the Bolognese singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla, a frequent visitor to the Tremiti Islands and chosen by him as his home, recorded the album entitled “Luna Matana.” Arriving in front of the legendary plaque in front of the gate of his house: “Domenico Sputo – Pilot of World War II,” a great emotion overwhelms anyone in a pleasant “Amarcord” , made of notes, images and thoughts.
Nothing will make a vacation unforgettable like a night walk to the sea in this cove, on moonlit evenings the water glows with silver reflections and the whole of Cala Matano is illuminated with a clear and surreal glow, one of the most romantic places this magnificent archipelago can offer