An island in the middle of the sea that could go back to being public and above all open to visitors. An important goal to be achieved, but which now seems to find concreteness. The island of Gallinara in Liguria it could become a public good. In fact, there would be an interest on the part of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Tourism to acquire it to leave it open to visitors. A much awaited news, especially from the residents of the coastal cities and to the many associations that over the years had opposed the sale of the island of Gallinara to private individuals. A significant step for the protection of this place.
Gallinara Island will have a museum
The ministry has ordered the exercise of pre-emption on the main villa and on part of the various buildings for sale. In fact, on the island of Gallinara there is a mansion that should become one headquarters exhibition open to the public. The island is located in front of Albenga and Alassio in the province of Savona. A little over a kilometer from the coast, the island is also famous for its particular shape reminiscent of a turtle.
The protection and enhancement of the wealth of the island of Gallinara
It is also a nature reserve, almost entirely covered with vegetation. The intention of the ministry, therefore, would be to transform the main villa into a museum, while the other structures should become headquarters exhibition to enhance the exceptional archaeological, historical-artistic and landscape values of the area. It is also hypothesized that the Mibact may involve the Albenga naval archaeological museum in the management of the manor house of the island and of the other structures. A way to protect even more the underwater archaeological area and thus make it a place for research.
The history of this island in the Ligurian sea
The island of Gallinara was owned by the Church until 1842. Then it was sold to private individuals, and belonged to a company owned by 9 families Ligurians and Piedmontese. Finally, the move to a Monte Carlo company linked to a Ukrainian tycoon. But do you know the history of this island? Meanwhile, it is home to one of the largest nesting colonies of herring gulls in the Ligurian Sea. And then on a naturalistic level it is relevant for its indented coasts. It has a Mediterranean habitat from scrub to tree spurge and holm oak scrub and orchard.
It takes its name from the wild hens that populated it in the past. It is then said that it was chosen by Saint Martin of Tours, engaged in the fight against the Arian heresy to spend four years in partial hermitage. In the last century, a campaign of archaeological excavations made it possible to excavate on the south-east side, under the Grotta di San Martino, where tradition generally has it that it was the saint's refuge. Remains of ancient tombs have been found. In fact, since the Middle Ages, a Colombian and later a Benedictine monastery was built there.
The itineraries to be made
From a tourist point of view, therefore, the Gallinara Island offers many ideas. Naturalistic and history itineraries can be created. E then visit the cliffs, caves and bays. You can admire the Genoese watchtower, which in ancient times was used for the sighting of pirates. And again the ancient monastery. With the acquisition by the ministry, we should aim for greater protection of this site.
