Monte di Procida is a municipality in Naples as well as a headland of the most extreme part of the Phlegrean region. Thanks to its position, it is possible to enjoy a breathtaking view from every point. The beauty of its vantage points has earned Monte di Procida the epithet of “Terrace of the Phlegraean Fields”.

Why you should visit Monte di Procida, the Terrace of the Phlegraean Fields

In Monte di Procida, every corner is a belvedere. Via Panoramica, Via Montegrillo, Via Marconi, Via Roma, Via Corricelle… these are all vantage points from which you can admire a stunning view. If you turn your gaze to the east, you can see the Gulf of Naples with Pozzuoli and the Phlegraean Fields, Mount Vesuvius, the Sorrento peninsula and Capri. To the south, the islands of Ischia and Procida seem very close to the islet of San Martino, which once was the edge of the Phlegraean headland. Finally, to the west, you can enjoy a glance of Ponza, Ventotene and Mount Circeo, while to the north, the plain of Caserta and Matese concludes the 360-degree view that this belvedere offers.

A family walk or a romantic stroll hand in hand with your better half is the best way to fully enjoy this Campanian treasure. It is hard to resist the temptation to take a few photos or to make a video at sunset, when the warm light of the setting sun embraces these enchanting views, making them even more unique. Restaurants and chalets in its characteristic small harbour will help you to conclude a fantastic day with a dinner by the sea.

The most important things to know about Monte di Procida

Monte di Procida is known by volcanology and geology scholars for its characteristic “museum-like breach”. Montegrillo and Acquamorta are the areas where it is possible to read the main steps that have characterized the volcanological history of the entire Phlegraean Fields area, only by observing the rocky walls. In fact, each event has left its mark in the formation of the landscape here in Monte di Procida. Thus, looking the walls of its coasts from the bottom up, it is possible to see the different types of deposits left by eruptive events.

Some historical notes on Monte di Procida

Monte di Procida was born as a village in the ancient city of Cumae, and for this reason it was originally called Monte Cumano.

After the founding of Miseno, Monte di Procida changed its ancient name of Monte Cumano and became Monte Miseno. In the 5th century AD the barbarians invaded Miseno and destroyed it. Following this event, Monte Miseno became a dense and inaccessible forest inhabited only by plants and animals.

In the 15th century King Ferdinand chose Monte Miseno for his royal hunting trips. The area maintained this function for a long time, until the 17th century when it was colonised by the people of Procida, and thus became “Monte di Procida”.

The people of Procida built the first chapel in 1600, which later became the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, a tourist destination and a place of worship that still today attracts faithful and tourists also from the United States on the day of 15th August. In the 17th century, the area was also deforested and cultivated, allowing the establishment of the traditional local navy with the related trade.

In the early 1900s the municipality was born, and at the end of the century, around the 1970s and 1980s, some people who had emigrated to the United States returned to Monte di Procida and gave life to the traditional Cistecca of Monte di Procida (a dish inspired by the American cheese steak).