Scoglio dell'Eremita

Off Polignano a Mare, a limestone stack rises about thirty metres above the Adriatic, close to the shore. Known also as the Isolotto di San Paolo, the rock is associated with a local legend of a solitary missionary who lived there and was sustained by fishermen.

Why it matters

The rock is a distinctive feature of Polignano's coastal landscape, standing apart from the continuous cliff line. Its names and legends connect the natural landmark with the devotional history of the town and its fishing community.

What to notice

The steep limestone stack rises directly from the water, with a simple silhouette visible from the coast. The Regione Puglia heritage record notes that Audouin's gull nests on the islet, adding a natural dimension to its cultural associations.

Context and history

The hermit's story survives as local tradition, with versions describing a missionary or contemplative figure who withdrew to the rock. Other local accounts associate the islet with a chapel dedicated to Sant'Antonio Abate, said to have been built in 1612 and later demolished. The alternate name San Paolo reflects another layer of devotional memory attached to the rock.