La Maddalena Facts for Kids

La Maddalena is a beautiful town in northern Italy. It is located on a group of islands called the Maddalena archipelago. This area is part of the Sardinia region. La Maddalena is even considered one of "The most beautiful villages of Italy"! The main town of La Maddalena is found on the island of the same name.

Exploring the La Maddalena Area
Discovering La Maddalena Town
The Island of La Maddalena
A Look at La Maddalena's Past
Sister Cities
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Exploring the La Maddalena Area

The La Maddalena area is like a local government district, known as a comune. This comune includes all the islands in the Maddalena archipelago. There are many islands here, such as Caprera, Budelli, and Santa Maria. Each island has its own special charm and natural beauty.

Discovering La Maddalena Town

Piazza Umberto I, a lively spot in La Maddalena.

La Maddalena is the biggest town in the Maddalena archipelago. It's only about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the northeast coast of Sardinia. The town sits in the Strait of Bonifacio, which is a narrow sea passage between Sardinia and Corsica.

The main area for people to walk around and enjoy is near Piazza Umberto I. This square used to be called Piazza Comando. A street called Via Garibaldi connects the port to Piazza Umberto I and the city hall. Along Via Garibaldi, you'll find many shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Today, La Maddalena gets a lot of its money from tourism. Many visitors come to see its beautiful islands and beaches. The only way to get to La Maddalena is by boat. Car ferries regularly travel from nearby Palau in Sardinia. The people who live in La Maddalena often speak a special local language called Maddalenino.

The Island of La Maddalena

The island of La Maddalena has several lovely beaches. Two popular ones are Bassa Trinita and Spalmatore. The island is known for its rocky, granite landscape. You can also find some old forts here. A special road connects La Maddalena island to the nearby island of Caprera. Caprera is famous because it was the last home of the Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi.

A Look at La Maddalena's Past

The seat of the Admiralty, a historic building.

The Petty Officer School of the Italian Navy.

La Maddalena has had many different names over time. The ancient Romans called it Ilva, Fussa, and Bucina. In the Middle Ages, it was known as "Bicinara." Later, in the 16th century, it was named Santa Maria Magdalena, which eventually became La Maddalena.

We know from old discoveries that people lived in the Maddalena archipelago even in prehistoric times. But its written history really begins with the Roman Empire. After the Roman Empire ended, the islands were empty for a long time. Then, in the 12th century, Benedictine monks started small communities there. The islands were even fought over by the powerful cities of Pisa and Genoa in the 12th century.

In 1584, all the monasteries on the islands were destroyed during attacks by the Ottoman Empire. In the 17th century, shepherds began bringing their sheep and goats to the islands during the winter.

The location of La Maddalena in the Strait of Bonifacio is very important. Many ships pass through this strait, making the islands a key military spot. In 1767, the Savoy-Piedmontese people took control of the islands. This is when the town of La Maddalena started to grow.

In 1793, a French army, which included a young Napoleon Bonaparte, tried to take the island but failed. This was Napoleon's first battle experience! During the Napoleonic Wars, Admiral Horatio Nelson used the Maddalena archipelago as a base for his ships when fighting the French.

Italy's Royal Navy, called the Regia Marina, set up a base here in 1887. During World War II in 1943, Benito Mussolini, who was Italy's leader at the time, was held prisoner here for a short period. He was kept at Villa Webber from August 7 to August 27.

The old Naval Arsenal in the Moneta area was supposed to host the 35th G8 Summit in 2009. This was a big meeting of world leaders, but it was later moved to another city.