Official site of tourism Comune Carloforte

Every year for centuries, on June 29th, the people of Carloforte celebrate their patron saint San Pietro. This is a very picturesque religious holiday with historical roots in ancient times when, according to legend, San Pietro escaped from a violent storm at sea and landed on this island which was then given his name.

Among the particularly evocative events related to this three day celebration, is a procession through the streets of the old town: this procession makes its way through the crowd, the Saint’s sacred statue carried by local fishermen, followed by large wooden crucifixes with festive decorations from the town of Pegli in Liguria, the ancestral home of the Carlofortinian people.

From the Church of San Pietro, the procession continues to the dock of Mamma Mahon, then continues by boat into the sea, as the setting sun paints the sea red.

In the old days, the Saint was placed on a "bastarda", a rowboat used in the Tonnara, and then carried out to open sea. Today all the boats have modern engines, but the charm of this ancient devotion remains unaltered.

The procession of boats glides on the waters of the harbor while the ferry boats, decorated for the occasion, sound their horns in honor of the patron saint until the fireworks light up the sky, closing the celebration.

Link to Article - THE FESTIVAL OF SAN PIETRO

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LA BOBBA BEACH
Heaven in the south of Carloforte
A beautiful soft white sand beach, located on the south western coast, near the area of Le Colonne and a few minutes from Carloforte.

La Bobba is sheltered from the northern winds, and it's the ideal beach in case of mistral wind. Framed by dark cliffs and Mediterranean scrub it has turquoise waters and shallow water, suitable for children.

It can be reached by following the coast road to the Caletta, taking a dirt road to the parking area.

The beach is equipped with secure parking, sandwich bar, a kiosk, dining area, and beach services like Continua...

THE BEACH OF CALETTA
The jewel of Cala Spalmatore
Inside the sheltered bay of Cala Spalmatore, with its reddish rocks and striking green vegetation, is one of the largest and most spectacularly beautiful beaches on the island of San Pietro: La Caletta (The Cove).

Characterized by fine white sand and sheltered by a low cliff, with attractive boulders and reefs that go right into the water from the beach.

The crystal clear water is shallow and of an extraordinary light green and blue color, and the beach floor is sandy, making it particularly suitable for children, especially when the sea is calm. The exception is when the mistral wind blows and sea c Continua...

STUFFED ONIONS
A humble and tasty traditional dish
A very simple delicious dish, this traditional Carloforte recipe is based on onions.

The preparation is very simple. Prepare white onions for cooking by removing the papery outer layer and washing them. Cut them in half vertically, but leave the root portion intact. Boil them gently in water for about five minutes. Drain and carefully separate the outer layers from the center, reserving the outer layers for stuffing later.

Boil unpeeled potatoes until tender and drain. Peel and mash the potatoes into a puree, and add bea Continua...

STREET SOLFERINO ARCO
A charming corner of Carloforte
There is an arch in the middle of Solferino Street facing Piazza Repubblica, known to all the islanders as the “archióttu”.

When and why this name was given, no one knows for sure. But many people say that this arch was constructed sometime near the end of the eighteenth century and that it was the door to the garden of the Rapallo family, at that time one of the wealthiest families of Carloforte.

This place is perhaps one of the most photographed corners of Carloforte. It has been the subject of many paintings and sketches, and visitors who visit the town in summer often stop to a Continua...