Maddalena archipelago is the place that combines a unique nature and crystal clear sea with the characters of world history.
Off the northeastern coast of Sardinia, there is an archipelago of 52 islands, large and small: Maddalena, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Razzoli and other islets with white beaches, a stunning pristine sea clarity and transparency, and with colors that change from dark blue to emerald green. But the most unique place is a beach with the pink sand, the island of Budelli, unfortunately closed to the public.
La Maddalena, the largest island of the archipelago, located off the northern coast of Sardinia, deserves special attention. On the Island, Cala Gavetta, an old fishing village, with time became an harbour city, in the center of which are located many restaurants, bars and taverns, some already in business since the seventeenth century.
The island has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, but it was abandoned after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and became home for shepherds.
On February 23, 1793, the island has faced an attempted invasion of the 'French army, under the command of a young Corse, an officer named Napoleon Bonaparte, which the Direttorium had entrusted the secondary action of a maneuver that was to lead to the conquest of Sardinia: the assault on the island of Maddalena, already then an important naval base. Napoleon, occupied the island of St. Stephen in front of Maddalena, he installed the battery 3 cannons and mortars that were with him, and began a bombardment. The inhabitants of La Maddalena managed to repel all French attempts to land and organized an expedition against the small French fleet, forcing the French to set sail. Napoleon categorically refused to re-embark. To convince him to flee was the action of local inabitants that counterattacked and almost managed to catch him.
The archipelago is also known as the last home of "the hero of the two worlds" Giuseppe Garibaldi, who built at Caprera the famous 'White House'. Currently the house is a museum open to visitors.
During the excursion you can admire the most beautiful beaches compared not only to those in Sardinia, but throughout Italy; you will discover the history and culture of the island that has so impressed Giuseppe Garibaldi to choose this island as his last refuge. Thus he wrote in his diary: "If there is a heaven on earth I found my Caprera."
Duration of the excursion: full day (8 hours) - Hiking
The visit to La Maddalena can be done in two ways:
1) By renting a boat and stopping in the island's most beautiful beaches.
2) By car, visiting the island's most beautiful beaches and the house-museum of Giuseppe Garibaldi.
The excursion price does not include tickets to the ferry and to the museum.
