Women-only beach “an oasis of calm”

20/08/2009 / ITALY

Women-only beach “an oasis of calm”

Ladies, are you dreaming of a beach void of men? Well dream no more. Just make your way to Pedocin, Italy.

Are you for or against mixed gender beaches? Give your opinion.

Contributors

Stefano Pilotto

Claudia Vasc...

Barbara Sepic

“It’s a tradition from the 19th century”

Stefano Pilotto is a historian. He teaches in a management school in Trieste.

From the various beaches along the Triestine Riviera, this one stands out. In Triestine dialect Pedocin means ‘little mussel'. The beach is situated between the town's pleasure harbour and industrial harbour, right in the centre. Entry is very cheap at 80 euro centimes, the sea is clean, and... there's a physical separation between men and women [a wall]. The separation isn't trying to discriminate by gender, it's a tradition from the 19^th

century which is due to the reserved an introverted people, who despite numerous cultural changes, have retained a prudish and austere approach to life. In an age where globalisation and economy drive us to increased promiscuity, Pedocin represents an anchor where a former identity remains popular amongst the people - the women-only section of the beach is usually jam-packed!"

Stefano Pilotto

Italy
History teacher

“It’s an oasis of calm”

Claudia Vascotto is a frequent visitor to the beach.

There are placards everywhere to stop men getting in. There's even a boundary line in the water. The young ones use it for girl against guy volleyball matches. I love this beach. It's always full, but it's an oasis of calm. An ideal space for mothers and older women. The toilets and showers are clean, the staff friendly, the lifeguards on the lookout. There's a really nice atmosphere.

Claudia Vasc...

Italy

“I don’t think women come here to get away from men”

Barbara Sepic works in admissions in a management school (the same one as Stefano Pilotto).

I often go to Pedocin with friends. It's fun and it's safe. I don't think women come here to get away from men. Maybe that was the case 50 years ago, but not anymore. Most of the young girls come at the start of the summer season to get a good tan. Then they're ready for the mixed beaches."

Thanks to our Observer Alberto Celani for his help on this post.

Barbara Sepic

Italy
Head of Admission in a management school

Pedocinin pictures

Photos: Stéphano Pilotto

Français

Comments

women only beaches

Submitted by MAN WHO RESPECTS WOMEN (not verified) on Tue, 15/09/2009 - 21:01.

Women enjoying the company of women.
What is the problem with that!
This is a wonderful idea.
You sexist men need to grow up!!

Unregistered user

Submitted by MAN WHO RESPECTS WOMEN (not verified) on Tue, 15/09/2009 - 20:58.

Are there any men only

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 25/08/2009 - 00:09.

Are there any men only beaches? or are those legal?

Men-only beaches

Submitted by OUtsider (not verified) on Wed, 16/09/2009 - 12:52.

Until recently there was a men's only beach in Ireland, near James Joyce's tower. But no longer.

Finally!!!! What a great

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 24/08/2009 - 16:28.

Finally!!!! What a great idea no more harassment from unwanted males. For those ugly racist comments below, lets see what you think when you have a daughter!

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 24/08/2009 - 10:32.

what a really good idea.

ladies can get their own drinks,
Go for an ice cream themselves.
Buy and apply their own sun cream.

Put their own towel on the sun lounger
get annoyed with their neighbours on the beach and complain without getting your male partner involved

BLISS

Why are they all lesbians?
why are there no babes?

A chauvinist male view again

I wonder what happens on the mens side

Has anyone seen an even

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 23/08/2009 - 18:51.

Has anyone seen an even semi-hot chick in any of the attached photos?

Nope. Problem solved -- fembots, dykes, grannies, fat chicks and trannies are all gone.

i d i o t

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 29/08/2009 - 20:57.

I have news for you.

THIS IS WHAT WOMEN LOOK LIKE. Your mother, sister and neighbor.
t shows you have never seen a real woman naked, only the airbrushed pictures in Playboy.

Women only beach

Submitted by Sacaninha du Bocage (not verified) on Sat, 22/08/2009 - 22:03.

It must be a lesbian paradise...

Women-only beaches

Submitted by Tigibus on Sat, 22/08/2009 - 15:34.

Stefano Pilotto is disappointing - one would expect a more open and intelligent comment from a teacher. There is nothing prudish or austere in this behaviour - simply respectable women wishing to avoid the ogling of sex-obsessed louts.

women only beach.

Submitted by Unregistered userjoseph walker (not verified) on Sat, 22/08/2009 - 15:10.

Well it just us men pandering to these poor creatures,they will be back when they want us to put them on a pedastle.They hav'nt realised they need us ,we can live quite happily without our headaches.

This is APARTHEID !

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 21/08/2009 - 00:33.

This is not Apartheid!!!

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 21/08/2009 - 10:31.

This is not Apartheid!!! This is only a tradition!!!!

Young good looking triestina girl!

It's called be very

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 21/08/2009 - 19:51.

It's called be very backward. Italy is the most sexist country in Europe.

Women's Only? YES

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 21/08/2009 - 09:57.

let the women enjoy some exclusivity for once.

Women's beach

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 21/08/2009 - 19:32.

Jolly good idea, peace for women, and I don't have to be assaulted by half nacked women. I am young and fit and male, but would enjoy this, because God is not happy with our naked culture. God is angry with the world and it is under his judgment to be destroyed and all those who do not live godly lives and do not believe in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death, to be tortured from eternity to eternity! No wonder the Islamists hate us here! This is also a punishment against an unfaithful christianity.

god

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 29/08/2009 - 20:53.

You are delusional. How do you know if God is happy or not?

When was the last time you talked to him?

And what does he look like?

God?

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 22/08/2009 - 08:32.

Are you not being unfaithful to christianity also? Matt 7:1 "Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged"

Your hypocrisy screams fundamentalist reject.

I don't beleve in a god so im going to judge you. You sir/mam, are an idot to the nth degree O_o

Oh and last night picked up my dogs crap with the pages from the Bible.

God is and will forever be there

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 24/08/2009 - 14:29.

May you be kind to yourself by just sticking to the beach story. It is so inhuman to reject the Holiness of the Bible and the Living Word. May you be enlightened to know the truth which shall set you free. Jesus is the Lord.