An inaccessible island of maximum environmental protection. Belonging to the municipality of Potoferraio, it is one of the protected area managed by Carabinieri Command of the protection of bio-diversity and it is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
The island, originated by an underwater pluton, is entirely mountainous. It is assumed that in Roman times it was called Monte “Giove” due to existence of a temple dedicated to him. In Medieval times, it took the name of Monte Cristo with the building of the Monastery of “San Mamiliano”. Later it became a den of pirates and in the 19th century a Napoleonic military settlement. In 1852 it was bought by the Baron of Strichen, who built his residence “Villa Reale” so splendid that he was nicknamed “The Count of Montecristo”. The many vicissitudes of the island, its mistery and old popular beliefs inspired the writer Alexandre Dumas in the creation of his famous novel.
Later, the island became the hunting lodge of the king Vittorio Emanuele III di Savoia.
Montecristo is such a protected island to be considered the only Wild Goat reserve I Italy.
Bathing, mooring, access, anchoring and sailing are forbidden within 1 km from the coast. Transit is permitted within 3 miles from the coast but not fishing and diving.
