On the west edge of Procida there is Chiaiolella, the third seafaring village of Procida in chronological order, which is nowadays the main tourist centre of the island with the beach, the bathing establishments, bars, restaurants, hotels and above all a tourist port appreciated for its sheltered position and the loveliness of the small cove. The name is derived from the word "chiaia", meaning "beach" in neapolitan dialect, with the suffix "-ella", which is a diminutive having more a connotation of softness.

The first houses by fishermen were built in 18th century inside the natural cove having a circular form, that is a clear track of an ancient volcanic crater. The cove is sheltered by the promontory of Santa Margherita, upon which there was in 16th century a benedictine monastery, abandoned because of Saracen forays: the friars then moved to the convent of Santa Margherita Nuova, built on a more secure place, near the fortress of Terra Murata. They remain only some ruins of the old monastery, inside a private property.

The old nucleus of the Chiaiolella village is delimited on top by the Church of San Giuseppe (St. Joseph), on the street Giovanni da Procida. It was opened in 1841, but they had to pull down it because of foundations problems and rebuilt it in 1861. The church has a single nave with some small indentations in the walls used as lateral chapels; the main altar is paneled with polychrome marbles and overhung by a wooden statue of San Giuseppe belonging to the 17th century; other two altars are located inside the two side arms of the plan, designed with a Latin cross.  [ More...]