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.