Trabucco di Celestino

Along the coast of the Adriatic Sea, you’ll find trabucchi, large wooden structures on stilts, that lean towards the sea. The design of these devices dates back to 18th century, when fishermen came up with the wooden structure as a method for fishing that wasn’t as reliant on good weather as going out in boats. Some claim, however, that the trabucco is an ancient technology that was adapted from a Phoenician design.

The Trabucco di Celestino in Termoli is an example of one style of these wooden fishing machines. A wooden platform sits out on the water, at the end of a long walkway supported by stilts. Tall arms stretch out from the platform, holding out large nets that can be maneuvered to capture passing fish.