The island of Procida is probably one of the most photographed in all of Italy. You may not recognize its name but the endearingly iconic shot of Procida’s Corricella Marina appears on Italian guidebook covers in over fifty languages internationally. The photogenic marina’s pastel bungalows have glistened over the Tyrrhenian for generations, welcoming back tired mariners after they have endured months at sea.  Each house was historically painted a distinctly bright hue so that seamen could spot their homes from far away even on a hazy day. Mirage like as it may seem, Procida enjoys a rich cultural patrimony that is distinctly rooted in Greek maritime traditions.  

Though much controversy surrounds how Procida received its name, the most probable origin lies in the island’s proximity to the nearby Cuma. According to Greek legend, various sibyls, female oracles, populated the spiritual hubs of the ancient world.  Chief among these enlightened ladies was the Sibyl of Cuma whom the ancients revered as a formidable guardian of the underworld. Procida sits just across the Bay of Naples from ancient Cuma and as a result, became known to its original Greek inhabitants as Prima Cyma- next to Cuma. Over time, the name evolved to become Procida.