Montecristo Island

The legendary count is more famous than the island itself. Alexandre Dumas' novel The Count of Montecristo made the small island world-famous. In 1971, the uninhabited Isola di Montecristo was given protection as a nature reservation.

This protects the unique flora and fauna, which has been able to evolve over centuries undisturbed. Montecristo is only 10 square kilometres in size and as such, is the smallest island in of the Tuscan archipelago.

Consisting only of one unique granite rock, the mysterious island rises out from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Erosion formed the wild, inaccessible island, which is 645 metres tall at its highest point.

Inaccessible nature reserve

Isola di Montecristo's nature is strictly protected. No more than 1000 visitors per year are allowed to visit the island, and even these need a special permit for one of the few group tours.

Boats must also keep a minimum distance from the island. Naturally, a ferry connection does not exist.

The myth of the Count

The monks who lived in the old monastery on Montecristo are said to have buried treasure there. The fact that the island was a base for pirates and hermits also fuels the legends.

According to the classic adventure tale by Alexandre Dumas, the falsely imprisoned sailor Edmond Dant�s escaped from Montecristo's prison and became the rich Count of Montecristo, on a mission for vengeance. The saga about friendship and deceit, love and pain has enthralled countless readers and movie lovers alike.

Supposedly, the life of a real count inspired Dumas' protagonist.

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