Discover the Enchanting La Maddalena Archipelago located just off the northeastern coast of Sardinia, covering a total area of 49.3 km2. Comprised of seven main islands divided into two groups – SE Maddalena, Caprera, and S. Stefano; NW Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli, and S. Maria. Situated between these islands and the Lavezzi islands in Corsica are the Strait of Bonifacio, marking the border between Italian and French territorial waters.
This archipelago boasts stunning granite formations similar to those found in Gallura, Sardinia, offering breathtaking landscapes and lush vegetation that characterize these areas.
Owing to its exceptional natural beauty, the La Maddalena Archipelago stands out as one of the most captivating geographical and tourist regions in the Mediterranean.
The majority of inhabitants reside on Maddalena Island and are engaged in various sectors such as public service, commerce, fishing, and maritime activities. The high-quality accommodation facilities are primarily located on Maddalena Island but can also be found on S. Stefano and Caprera, which hosts a sailing center.
The islands were inhabited since prehistoric times with archaeological findings dating back to the 4th millennium BC. Known as “Cuniculariae” during Roman times due to the abundance of rabbits on the islands.
In the 13th century, they were visited by Pisans while Genoese referred to them as “islands of Carugi.” Remaining uninhabited until the 16th century when Corsican shepherds began settling in.
The first settlements emerged in the center of Maddalena Island with the formation of the initial urban center near Cala Gavetta around 1770, giving rise to what is now known as La Maddalena town.
Throughout its military history, significant events occurred such as the Franco-Corsican troops’ invasion led by artillery captain Napoleon Bonaparte in 1793. However, local resistance under Domenico Millelire successfully repelled them.
In 1804, Admiral Nelson’s British fleet used La Maddalena as a base before their historic battle against the French at Trafalgar.
Around 1887, the archipelago was chosen as a strategic naval base by Italy’s navy leading to its current development. Maddalena Island remained an important naval base until World War II when it was temporarily demilitarized in 1947 before becoming home to an autonomous Maritime Military Command in Sardinia.
- La Maddalena Archipelago
- Sardinian Islands
- Natural Wonders of the Mediterranean
- History of La Maddalena Archipelago
- Tourism in Sardinia
