Tavolara Island is the home of just one lucky family

The patch of land named Tavolara Island in Sardinia has been inhabited for more than two centuries by the members of just one family. They are the descendents of Giuseppe Bertonoli who made this island his home 200 years ago. Tavolara is an island with high relief, having a length of 5 kilometers and a width of one kilometer. At one end there is an isthmus, the only habitable aria throughout the land.

The island’s first inhabitant has an incredible story. Bertoloni was a Genoese immigrant trying escape a bigamy penalty. He reached the island back in 1807 with the intention to live here with one of his two wives and their children and he proclaimed himself "king of the island ", claiming that he received this title from the King of Sardinia, Carlo Alberto, during his visit in 1836. King Carlo Alberto was, indeed , on the island of Tavolara in 1836. More, a few years after that, he agreed that one of the descendants of Giuseppe Bertolini, Paolo, to formally receive the "King of Tavolara "title.

In 1934 , the island became a part of the Italian state and also the Bertolini family privileges were canceled. Moreover, in 1962 NATO has designed here a military base , covering the inhabited territory. Nowadays, the family is involved among other things with goat rearing , fishing and selling souvenirs. They also have own two restaurants on the island. Because they can not use the title of " kings of Tavolara", the members were honorary recognized by the Italian State as "guardians of the island". However, the self-declared "King Tonino " is trying hard to restore the honor of his ancestors and create the small kingdom that might exist at the moment.