Caprera is an island that features rocky characteristics, situated on the North-eastern coast of Sardinia, in the province of Olbia-Tempio. Connected by a bridge to La Maddalena, it is part of the archipelago, which is a protected natural park. The coves of fine white sand alternate with rocky cliffs, form where it is possible to admire from up above the surrounding deep crystal clear blue sea. The island is almost completely covered with roads and dirt paths that cross it from North to South: charming is the view from Mount Telaione and Poggio Raso, as well as those of Porto Palma and the beach of Cala Portese and finally those to the North-west of Cala Napoletana and Cala Caprarese. Very famous is Cala Coticcio, which is reachable only by a trail.
The Archipelago of La Maddalena has been inhabited since ancient times. On the isle of Santo Stefano, one of seven smaller islands that build the main one, there are ruins of a Neolithic settlement dating from the period between 2500 and 2000 B.C. Due to its strategic position, Caprera was certainly used by the Romans as a convenient stop for their trading in the Mediterranean: on the nearby seabed there are several shipwrecks. Also on the coastline, the remains of various Roman military strongholds have been found. During the Middle Ages the islands suffered a strong depopulation due to the frequent raids of pirates and only in the XVI century, when the Corsican shepherds realized the area's goat breeding potentials, the repopulation restarted. Under the domain of the Savoy, the archipelago was attacked in 1793 by French troops, who were defeated here. Caprera is famous World-wide for being the location preferred by Giuseppe Garibaldi to spend the last years of his life and where he died and was buried in 1882.
Attractions:
- the Italian Navy Stronghold, located in the bay of Stagnali and was built in the late XIX century;
- the Naval Archaeological Museum in La Maddalena, a permanent exhibition of several findings such as the remains of a Roman ship;
- the beaches of Cala Portese and Porto Palma;
- the Museum of Garibaldi;
- Cala Coticcio;
- Punta Rossa.