Monopoli

From CruisersWiki

Revision as of 20:35, 24 January 2013

Monopoli, Italy

Click links for more information
	40°57.28′N, 17°18.47′E
	[ Photo gallery]
	[ Local chartlet]
Monopoli harbour showing Molo Margherita Click for larger view

Monopoli is a commercial harbour on the Adriatic coast of Italy 40 miles NW of the port of Brindisi. Initially a Greek settlement, the town experienced the same fate as most of the harbours along this coast, passing through Roman, Ostrogoth, Byzantine, Norman, Hohenstaufen, Venetian and Spanish hands before becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860. Like Brindisi and Otranto further south, it was an important embarkation point during the Crusades and was therefore the object of several retaliatory attacks during the subsequent centuries. Monopoli is not a particularly yacht-friendly harbour but it does offer a port of refuge if caught out in bad weather along this coast. Shelter is good, although some swell penetrates the harbour in strong E/SE winds.

Charts

British Admiralty

186

Italian

920

30

196

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Local Weather

During the summer months the prevailing winds in the Adriatic are light to moderate coastal seabreezes. In spring and autumn, northerly winds are more frequent and can quickly rise to near gale force, especially in the northern Adriatic, where the much-feared “bora” is caused by high pressure over the mountains to the NE coupled with low pressure over southern Italy. Fortunately, the fiercest “bora” is normally to be expected in the winter months. Thunderstorms are occasionally experienced in spring and especially autumn and can be accompanied by violent winds of gale force and above. Luckily they are rarely long-lasting. In the southern Adriatic, the “scirocco”, a S/SE wind blowing up from North Africa which can last for several days, is more common. Unlike the “bora”, which can arrive without warning, a “scirocco” tends to build in strength over 24-48 hours, sometimes reaching gale force (especially in winter).

Sources for weather information:

• There is a continuous (computerised voice) weather forecast on VHF 68 - first in Italian and then followed with an English translation
• The same forecast is given in Italian and English on VHF coastal stations following a notification on channel 16
• Navtex weather forecasts covering the Adriatic are broadcast from stations at Roma, Trieste, Kerkyra (Greece) and Split (Croatia)

Approach and Navigation

The buildings of the town are conspicuous from distance. Closer in, a large castle at the root of the southern mole and a red and white painted tower at the end of it are clearly visible. Entry to the harbour is from SE, staying at least 30 metres off the end of the breakwaters to avoid underwater ballasting. Depths in the entrance are 8.0 - 10.0 metres. Entry can be difficult in strong E/SE winds.

Berthing Options

Vising yachts normally berth along the southern mole, the Molo Margherita, either alongside if there is space or on an anchor moor. Depths here vary from 2.0 metres at the root to 4/5 metres at the end; however, there are a couple of patches of shallower water with barely 1.5 metres which need to be avoided by deeper draft yachts. Some water points on the mole but no other facilities.

Yachts berthed in Monopoli harbour
Click for larger view

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Lega Navale.

Anchorages

No anchoring in the harbour is permitted.

Offshore Islands and Groups

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs/Yards

Slipway. Fixed and mobile cranes. Travel lift (130 T). Basic engine and electrical repairs. Hull repairs. Divers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

No fuel. Water on the mole but no electricity.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

There is not much of tourist interest in Monopoli except the 16th century castle built on the harbour by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the smaller Norman castle of San Stefano, subsequently turned into a Benedictine monastery. The harbour is, however, the nearest base for visiting the impressive Grotte di Castellana 14 km SW, a group of spectacular limestone caves with wonderful stalactite and stalagmite formations, first discovered in the 1930s.

Castellana caves
Click for larger view

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Numerous provisions shops in the town.

Eateries

• Restaurants and pizzerias in the town.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• Rental outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins near the harbour.

Transportation

• Buses to Grotte di Castellana and other local destinations.
• Local flights to Rome, Naples, Milan, Bolgona and Pisa from Brindisi airport.
• Trains to Bari, Lecce and Taranto and most major cities.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• Data compiled from web research (please update if possible) --Athene of Lymington 15:00, 24 December 2010 (UTC)

Template:Guide1