Gallinara
 | |
  Isola Gallinara | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ligurian Sea |
| Administration | |
Italy | |
| Region | Liguria |
| Province | Savona |
| Communes | Albenga |
Gallinara or Isola d'Albenga is a small private island that lies in the Ligurian Sea off the coast of Albenga in the Province of Savona, Liguria, northern Italy. It is known for its unique shape, resembling a turtle.
Etymology
the name comes from “galline” (Italian for wild hens) as they used to populate the island [1]
History
On the island, then called Gallinara, Martin, destined to become Saint Martin of Tours, decided in his youth to seek shelter and live the solitary life of a hermit, before he joined Hilary of Poitiers in Gaul. The wreck of a Roman ship has been found in the waters of its coast. It was owned by the church until 1842. During World War II the island was occupied by German soldiers.[2] In 2020 the island was planned to be bought by Ukrainian businessman Olexandr Boguslayev for 25 million euros, with criticism by politicians and locals, as the island is considered a heritage site by many.[3] although the island reverted to being public.[4]
Nature conservation
The island is now protected as the Riserva Naturale Regionale Isola Gallinara, a shelter for the herring gull, with one of the largest colonies of this bird in the Mediterranean, and for rare plant species and stretches of intact shallow sea floor. It is also included in a SIC (Site of Community Importance) called Isola Gallinara (code IT1324908 ).[5]
See also
References
- ^ "What to see at the Gallinara island". Residence Ai Pozzi Loano. 2018-06-01. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ Renzulli, Melanie (2021-05-02). "Ligurian Island of Gallinara Sold to Foreign Investor". Italofile. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ "Block €25M sale of secluded island, say Italy's heritage defenders". POLITICO. 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ Puglisi, Federica (2020-09-20). "Gallinara Island becomes public, acquired by Mibact". italiani.it. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ Bollettino Ufficiale Regione Liguria nr.13 of 15-7-2009; the Ligurian SIC list is on-line at lrv.regione.liguria.it Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine (access: July 2015)
44°01′32″N 8°13′35″E / 44.0255°N 8.226333°E
