Cheradi Islands

The Cheradi Islands (Italian Isole Cheradi ) in the Gulf of Taranto are a small archipelago of the harbor basin of the Mar Grande of Taranto, in the homonymous gulf includes the southwest. The island group consists only of the two islands of San Pietro (118 acres ) and San Paolo ( 5 acres ). Previously, there was still a third island, San Nicolicchio, but disappeared by the expansion of the cargo port. The islands belong administratively to the old town of Taranto ( Municipality III Città Vecchia - Borgo ).

The island of San Pietro, on German St. Peter 's, named after the apostle Simon Peter. For San Paolo Paul of Tarsus stood godfather.

The islands are under military domain. Only part of the island of San Pietro is accessible for tourists. On both islands there are military installations that were used to defend the city of Taranto in the Second World War, but have since unused. On the island of San Paolo can see the fortress Fort Laclos, a fixture that Napoleon Bonaparte had built and placed under the leadership of General Choderlos de Laclos artillery. On the island of San Pietro, it is also a 120 m high antenna that connects the military base of Taranto with the military communications network.

The sea around the islands is rich in marine fauna, especially sponges.