Best known for the proverbial beauty of its sea, the island of La Maddalena however preserves a complex and at times curious history, made up of brave men and naval battles, of heroes of two worlds and of less well-known but no less courageous local sailors.
Located off the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, the La Maddalena archipelago is made up of seven main islands and numerous smaller islets. Despite its position between Sardinia and Corsica and the presence of sheltered ports, this area remained practically on the edge of history until the end of the 1700s.
Did you know that La Maddalena was independent for over 45 years?
Before then, except for the temporary presence of Benedictine monks until the mid-1500s, this archipelago with little flat land was a harsh and uninhabited land. Only a few families of Gallura and Corsican shepherds and Ligurian and Neapolitan fishermen resided on the islands of the archipelago, and they dedicated themselves not only to their main activities but also to smuggling.
The archipelago then, after the Treaty of London in 1720, had become a sort of no man’s land not included between Corsica (France) and Sardinia (Piedmont). But the people of Maddalena found themselves quite happy in this situation, so much so that they decided, with due calm, to become part of the kingdom of Sardinia only in 1767.
The Kingdom of Sardinia soon realized the potential of the island and began to erect the first fortifications and the construction of a real town in the Cala Gavetta area.
But European history breaks into that of this almost unknown archipelago.
Did you know that Napoleon was defeated at La Maddalena by an unknown local helmsman?
The French Revolution brought war throughout Europe, and in 1793 the French army decided to invade Sardinia with a fleet of 22 ships, starting from La Maddalena, to weaken the Piedmontese resistance. A young lieutenant who later becomes Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, lands on the island of Santo Stefano and begins to shell the main island while the fleet prepares to occupy the archipelago. But the perfect knowledge of the coasts and the skill in the use of coastal artillery of the equally young Maddalena helmsman Giuseppe Leoni, known as Millelire, overturned the disadvantageous situation. The French fleet is heavily bombarded from both Punta Tegge and Palau and is forced into a disorderly retreat within a few days.
Did you know that Nelson fell in love with La Maddalena and wanted to buy Sardinia?
Ten years later the European wars returned to the archipelago. The king of Sardinia has fled to Cagliari, and Piedmont is occupied by the French. The English fleet was stationed in the archipelago for about two years waiting to confront the French in the famous battle of Trafalgar. Admiral Nelson was so impressed by the archipelago that he even proposed to the British crown the purchase of the whole of Sardinia “Malta is worth a hundred times”, he wrote.
The fate of La Maddalena is taking shape more and more clearly. From a worthless archipelago it becomes a naval base.
Did you know that the most famous general in the history of Italy, Giuseppe Garibaldi, was a farmer in Caprera?
Today La Maddalena is inextricably linked to the cult of the hero of the two worlds.
Of course, Garibaldi was appointed commander of the island’s garrison and this role, only apparently marginal, was in reality crucial for the future destiny of Italy.
Of course, Garibaldi transformed the island of La Maddalena into an impregnable naval base and used it as a strategic base for his subsequent military campaigns, which in short would lead to the unification of Italy.
Of course, the Garibaldi Museum offers a rich collection of memorabilia and historical artefacts, which allow you to completely immerse yourself in the epic of the Italian Risorgimento.
But in the end Garibaldi used the hoe much more here.
His white house is actually much more similar to a Gallura farmhouse, the life that can be sensed from the humble furnishings is the furthest thing from the idea of an aristocratic general covered in medals. In this, too, lies the greatness of this extraordinary character who, although he had traveled the world and could have easily opted for a comfortable Roman palace, chose the harsh and uncompromising beauty of this land, in which he chose to live for almost thirty years.
The Island of La Maddalena is much more than a tourist destination. It is a place steeped in history and which played a crucial role in the existence of the Savoy state before and in the fight for Italian independence and unity.
Did you know that you can stay in a Felix Hotels just 20 minutes by car from the embarkations for La Maddalena?
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Our Hotel La Coluccia, overlooking the Conca Verde beach, is located in Santa Teresa Gallura, 20 minutes from Palau, the embarkation point for La Maddalena.
A hotel conceived as a large modern and designer villa, a protected refuge, a sober and elegant luxury in which to be pampered. Like Garibaldi in Caprera, you too will feel the mistral and the peace of a protected refuge.
We are waiting for you!
