NSA La Maddalena, Italy Installation Guide

La Maddalena is a small island located north-east of Sardinia, a larger island connected to mainland Italy via ferries and airplanes. La Maddalena is the main island and town of the Archipelago of La Maddalena, which consists of seven islands and several islets. The road about the island is about 12 miles long.

As a permanently inhabited island, La Maddalena is very young. It was known to the Romans as "Isola Ilva", while the entire archipelago was known as "Isole Cunicularie" or "Island of the Rabbits", possibly because at that time it had a large rabbit population.

In the middle ages, the island was controlled by pirates who used it as a base. In the mid-1600s a group of Corsican shepherds established flocks of sheep on La Maddalena. However, these early "residents" remained here for only part of the year, returning often to Corsica. This began a long history of contact between La Maddalena and Corsica. When the Sardinians gained control of the island in 1767, they established a small Navy base here making the island a safe place to live. A significant number of the Corsican shepherds remained to become the first permanent residents of La Maddalena.

By 1780, there were about 400 people living on the island, most of whom were from either Corsica or Pisa.

Located in the Straits of Bonifacio, the island has served as a strategic military point for many centuries. There are some 50 forts on the island, most of which have been abandoned.

However, the Guardia Vecchia at the summit of La Maddalena Island is still used by the Italian Navy as a communications and weather observation station.

In 1789, the French fleet under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte, then a young artillery commander, sailed from Corsica to attack La Maddalena. Landing on Santo Stefano Island, the French force fired on La Maddalena into the night. A local force led by D. Millelire sailed from Palau to the backside of Santo Stefano and surprised Napoleon from the rear. The French retreated, and the "Battle of La Maddalena" was won by the Sardinians.

In 1803 Lord Nelson, commander of the English fleet in the Mediterranean, received authorization from the local Admiralty to port his fleet in La Maddalena. Nelson was waiting for the French fleet to leave the port of Toulon, so he could engage them in battle. Prior to his departure, he gave some silver candle holders and a crucifix to the people of La Maddalena in thanks for their kindness and generous hospitality. These items are highly valued by the local people and are displayed in the local church.

In 1822, the United States sought to obtain La Maddalena as a base to protect its shipping from active pirates in the Mediterranean. The Sardinians refused the request as they were building a full-sized naval base here with naval stores, forts, batteries, an armory, a shipyard, artillery, fleet and command facilities.

In 1855 Garibaldi, a national hero, in the struggle to unify Italy, exiled himself to the Island of Caprera. Buying one half of the island and building a large family farm, he lived on Caprera until his death in June 1882. His house was occupied by his descendants until the 1960's and is now a national museum.

In August 1943, the Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini was held captive for 20 days in the Villa Webber, adjacent to the Paradiso Navy complex.

In 1972, the Italian government granted the United States Navy its "homeport" in La Maddalena.

La Maddalena has a population of approx. 15000/17000 residents, but it can reach 75000 during the summer months due to the number of tourists who come here for the beautiful beaches, water sports, and campsites. During the winter months, the summer haven turns into a retreat for those who live here, providing cool, blustery winds, breathtaking views of the sea and generally mild temperatures.