Boat International - July 2018

PHOTOGRAPHY: ROBERT HARDING; 4CORNERS IMAGES; GETTY IMAGES; ALAMY

; REX

T

he Tuscan Archipelago, midway between Forte dei

Marmi and Porto Cervo, is a yachting haven – apart

from the chain’s tiniest island, Gorgona, which

appears like Alcatraz Island complete with Pisan watchtowers

and crenellated prison walls. However, the island regime

is an enlightened one. When Italy was reunified in 1861 the

kingdom created an experimental agricultural penal colony,

where it was hoped that pine scents and azure seas would

soothe inmates into submission.

Italy’s toughest prisoners (the 79 inmates still stationed

here include drug traickers and armed robbers) learn organic

farming techniques plus the value of hard work with the

help of one of Italy’s leading wine producers, Marchesi de

Frescobaldi. “In 2012 we received an email from the prison,”

says spokesperson Luisa Calvo. “They asked if we could help

them manage a one-hectare vineyard.” The 30th-generation

president of the group,

Marquis Lamberto

Frescoba ldi, sailed

90 minutes from

Livorno and discovered

anisland,onlytwosquare

kilometres, carpeted 90 per cent by

forestandtheremaindersplashedwithVermentinoandAnsonica

vines.ThelatterisatoughSicilianvarietythathasacclimatisedto

Gorgona’ssearingsummers,whichstart20daysearlierthanonthe

mainland. “Marquis Frescobaldi knew he could help prisoners to

learn a new role to assist them on release,” adds Calvo.

Therateofreofendingisjust20percent,comparedwith80per

cent in Italy’s overcrowded mainland prisons. In return, Marchesi

deFrescobaldiproduces3,700bottlesofrich,flintywhite,with

aredalreadyinproduction.

Since2016guideddailyhikes,rangingfromthreetoeight

kilometres,havebeenavailableontheisland.Thetoursfollow

strictroutesandnophonesorcamerasareallowed,butit’sworth

ittoexperiencetheisland’sflora,whichincludesevergreenand

prehistoricforests,andpristinebeaches.Birdloverswillrelishthe

opportunitytospottherareCorsicanfinch,whichcanbe

foundononlyfourotherislandsbesidesGorgona.Divers,however,

willkicktheirfinsindespairasit’snotpossibletosnorkelordivein

its clear waters.

The island’s

ora includes

evergreen and

prehistoric

forests, and

pristine beaches

Gorgona

BEST FOR PRIVACY AND SECLUSION:

Location: A paradise prison straight out from Livorno

Guideddailyhikesare

availableonGorgona,

from 3km to 8km

The prison’s

vineyard grapes

create a rich

white for one of

Italy’s leading

wine producers

There are about

60 residents on

Gorgona in addition

to the prisoners

Best by boat: As just 47 staf manage the penitentiary,

prison breaks are a genuine concern. To gain access to the

waters your captain must seek written permission from the

Italian Ministry of Justice in advance. Pure pleasure-seekers

may sail further south to the neighbouring island of Capraia.

A penal colony itself from 1873 and 1986, it’s now a national

park with wild mouflon sheep and dolphins aplenty.

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