The island of St. Peter was known since antiquity, the Greeks use to call it Hierakon, the Romans Accipitrum Insula
The first inhabitants were certainly the Phoenicians. Numerous are the marine archaeological evidences of it, found in the channel between the Island and Sardinia, very popular in that age

After centuries of neglect, in 1738 as an express wish of Carlo Emanuele III King of Sardinia, a thousand of Ligurian (region of Italy, with Genova capital of it) settlers and fishermen coming from the african island of Tabarka, at that time domain Genoese, emigrated on the island of St. Peter.
Followed different struggles linked to the French invasion and to Tunisian piracy, which deeply imbued culture and history of the place and of its people.

Few places in the world as Carloforte, isolated from their motherland, have been able to keep for 250 years culture, cuisine, habits and dialect of their far original land. Indeed, despite being an integral part of Sardinia, the population still feels Ligurian. The strong visual impact that a visitor receives on his arrival on the island with the typical houses painted by pastel colors faded by the sun, and the "carrugi" (narrow streets) rising toward the walls of the castle, is a typical architecture of Liguria.

Carloforte’s cuisine is witness of its history: it is the result of the meeting of Ligurian tastes with strong Arabs flavors. The tuna prevails in every menu thanks to the presence of tuna nets and to the annual slaughter of tunny fish that takes place here every month of May. The numerous restaurants, some of which have an international fame (Da Nicolo, Al tonno di corsa…), offer the opportunity to enjoy dishes full of native flavors, history and local culture.

The island is inserted into a spectacular landscape, which is the result of a lucky encounter between the earth and pure waters, rich in botanical species including the Dwarf Palm of St. Peter and the Aleppo Pine, wild orchids, myrtle and juniper. On the steep cliffs the Queen’s Hawk, mascot of the island, places his nests, as well as the Corse Gull. Usual guests of the salt-pans are the pink flamingos and the “garzette”. The inland is a continuous alternation of country-side, pine forests, vineyards and picturesque paths immersed in the dark green flora, while the coast is an uninterrupted succession of "calette" (coves) of white sand, tall rocks, natural marine caves and inlets, rock walls of volcanic origin sculpted by the winds in the ages. The sea is enchanting, rich colors and nuances. You can live it actively practicing many sports: diving, fishing, sailing, surfing and of course with relaxing swimming in warm and transparent water

Numerous publications deepen the knowledge of the island, its history and its traditions. Surely an immediate tool is offered by the many websites available
- www.isoladisanpietro.org
- www.carloforte.net
- www.carloforte.it
- www.carloforte.com
- www.hieracon.it