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PUNTA ALA |
Punta Ala is the cutting edge of the coast in front of the wonderful Tuscan
islands and it has behind an inland famous for its history, archaeological
Etruscan sites, medieval villages and beautiful art towns. Not far from here you
can reach other Tuscan places well known for their breathtaking landscapes and a
unique gastronomic tradition.
An old legend tells the story of a sow with its piglets that fell down into the
sea to escape from hunters. From then on the island in front of Punta Ala
promontory was called "Troia" (sow) and the rocks around "Porcellini" (piglets).
The once Punta Troia, now Punta Ala, became property of Eleonore of Toledo, wife
of Cosimo De Medici in the XVIth century. On the highest point of this land they
wanted to build two towers, the present castle, enlarged by the Lorena family in
the XVIIIth century and the still existing Hidalgo Tower.
Among the illustrious owners of Punta Troia in the first decades of 1800 there
is also Elisa Baciocchi, princess of Lucca, Napoleon Bonaparte's sister.
The transformation of Punta Troia began in 1930, when the famous aviator Italo
Balbo, flying over the Tuscan coast with his seaplane, saw a strip of land
covered with rank vegetation, surrounded by crystal clear water and decided to
buy it changing its name in Punta Ala.
From the 1960s Punta Ala began to be known as "A paradise to buy". Preserving
the natural environment, services were made and luxurious houses built, all
immersed in the nature.
Still today the heart of Punta Ala is the tourist harbour, one of the most
comfortable and exclusive in the Italian seas and ever since it hosted a lot of
important sailing regattas and has been chosen for some years by Prada for Luna
Rossa, the Italian queen of the America's Cup.
Treasures of this land are the Golf Club with one of the most prestigious golf
course in Europe and, for those who love horse riding, the stables and the Polo
field, where important contests are periodically organized.
In the past members of the Italian and English royal families, the famous
diplomatic and playboy Porfirio Rubirosa, princess Adams, wife of prince Valerio
Borghese came to take part to the events, together with the most famous
Argentinean and European polo teams. |
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