One of my favorite islands is L'Asinara, a little island that belongs to Sardinia, named after its Albino donkeys, but also famous for its maximum security prison "Fornelli". It's now closed, but in the 70's and 80's it was home to the Red Brigades and several well-known Mafiosi.
Asinara is the second largest island of Sardinia after Sant'Antioco. It houses a great variety of habitats. The island has an extremely peculiar historical, environmental, and juridical situation. It is known as "Isola del Diavolo" ("Devil's Island"), since it was used as a quarantine location, an imprisonment camp during World War I, and one of the most important Italian high security prisons during the terroristic period of the 70s and during the struggle against organized crime, until the Park establishment in 1997.
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| "Fornelli" Maximum Security Prison, Asinara, Sardinia © Keren Bensoussan 2010 |
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| An Albino donkey, among the last of its kind, Asinara, Sardinia © Keren Bensoussan 2010 |
We took a organized visit and toured the island in a jeep, bumping through rocky mountainous coasts and dirt paths and all kinds of adventurous corners on the island. We didn't know who we'd be grouped with and ended up with four senior citizens. At first this caused me a bit of concern. I thought for sure they would have complained about something because of the rough ride, but in the end, it was I that got car sick (never underestimate the energy of an Italian senior citizen!).
Of course I also graciously gave up my front seat knowing I get car sick but... vabbe... respect your elders. It was the right thing to do regardless of the fact that I was out flat in the back of the jeep for the entire afternoon. Travelling in the mountains and on windy roads has always made me car sick ever since I can remember. This was no exception except that it was also very hot. Nonetheless, it hasn't stopped me from continuing on in my adventures on windy hills (see upcoming travels in L'Isola della Maddalena and Corsica). It's just too good to be missed. So on we go with some of the discoveries. |
| The mountainous Island Asinara, Sardinia © Keren Bensoussan 2010 |
Some of the beaches on L'Asinara were so clear and calm that you could safely fall asleep and not worry about being washed away.  |
| Hidden beach in Asinara, Sardinia © Keren Bensoussan 2010 |
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| Clear and clean water in Asinara, Sardinia © Keren Bensoussan 2010 |
There is also a lovely fishing village called Cala Reale where one of the bigger buildings is still in good condition. There are only 700 inhabitants and very little construction which has made it the perfect place for a national park. L'Asinara has a fascinating history! For more information go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asinara. |
| Me in front of the Cala Reale Palace in Asinara, Sardinia © Keren Bensoussan 2010 |
Next visit... Summing it up: Summer in Alghero...
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