Punta Ala
Punta Ala is a district of the municipality of Castiglione in southern Tuscany. It is situated on a promontory 21 km north-west of the capital over the 30 km distant island of Elba, which can be seen clearly in fine weather.
History
The Punta Troia peninsula was called in the Middle Ages to Piombino, a small principality of the APPIANI; this was conquered by Siena. After the fall of Siena to Florence by Cosimo I de ' Medici in 1555, Cosimo had under the Treaty of July 3, 1557 ( the Monte Argentario, etc.), claimed by Philip II, who some of the Sienese possessions for themselves, renounce Piombino, the Philipp II wanted to return the dispossessed princes Jacopo d' Appiano IV. Jacopo left Cosimo, although the small peninsula as a gift for his wife Eleonora of Toledo, but five years later the property was returned to her early death at the APPIANI who had remained one of the few independent of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany regional bosses.
The three fortifications to protect against pirates - in the north of Torre Hidalgo, in southern Il Castello and on the offshore islet of Torre dello Sparviero - date from this period on the foundations of earlier systems. Surrounded by marshland of the Maremma and uninhabitable because of climate unzuträglichen terrain had a purely strategic importance.
After changing Besitzungsverhältnissen after the extinction of APPIANI in the Piombino promontory of Punta Troia in 1765 fell to the Habsburgs. Ferdinand III. (Tuscany) did strengthen the fortifications and set up a more spacious accommodation for the protection of troops and their families.
In the wake of the great drainage and reclamation program ( la bonifica ) by Grand Duke Leopold II (Tuscany) a road between Piombino Campiglia and was built in 1841, and it settled landowners and peasants in the countryside now habitable. A count called Rossel Giuli from Pisa successfully established the first farm on the Punta Troia crop-growing and livestock (cattle and horses). Workers presented the inhabitants of Scarlino. The widow bequeathed the property in 1919 a non-profit organization.
After the First World War, in the age of fascism, Italo Balbo bought the entire site. Besides Giuli - owned, there had been at that time only two small courtyards. The Torre Hidalgo was an observatory of the Navy. The rural life was still hard at that time: For the impregnation of cattle handed the schöpfbare by Ziehbrunnen groundwater, but to procure drinking water, you had to run up high on the hill to a source.
In Italo Balbo renaming the peninsula goes back to Punta Ala. He took some modifications and extensions of the entire system before, extended the access road, was to fence the area to keep the cattle, rodete some surrounding forests to more houses and another farm ( Tre Pini ) and memory ( now home to the offices the SpA Punta Ala) to build. On the other hand, he planted new pine, put a water and power line.
After the Second World War, the entire Balbo - property was confiscated by the Italian government because of " enriching the fascist regime." Although the heirs won a restitution process, but still had to sell the complex in 1959, and in the '60s the transformation began an exclusive holiday resort.
Punta Ala today
Today, Punta Ala is characterized by the largest yacht marina in the Tyrrhenian coast with 900 berths, a promenade with shops, cafes and restaurants as well as hotels and apartment complexes, superior tourist- class and luxury. Rotational basis to find season regattas, horse riding and golf tournaments at Golf Club Punta Ala, Ferrari shows and other social activities take place.
Out of season, almost all facilities are closed.
The center is only open to residents and boat owners with the car; " Fence-sitters " have to find the visitor parking above the village square.