In the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas, a young man named Edmond Dantes is falsely arrested and imprisoned. Dantes overhears a fellow prisoner discuss a vast cache of hidden treasure buried on a mysterious island. Dantes ultimately escapes from prison, travels to the mysterious island to retrieve the hidden treasure, and reinvents himself. A trip to the scenic, otherworldly island of Montecristo, which is surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea in Italy, inspired Dumas to write his exciting tale of buried treasure, intrigue, and retribution.
Isle of Montecristo, view from Chiessi, Isle of Elba.
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The small, remote island of Montecristo has a vibrant history. Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Christians, and Turks have all taken turns laying claim to Montecristo. In the 16th century, the fierce Turkish pirate Redbeard occupied Montecristo. Local lore states that Redbeard buried a sizable stash of hidden treasure. Many people in Europe still believe that the treasure Redbeard buried on Montecristo has yet to be unearthed.
Back in the 5th century, St. Mamiliano of Palermo supposedly retreated to a remote island when Sicily was being attacked by the Vandals. Local lore states that St. Mamiliano slayed a ferocious dragon that guarded the island. Once the dragon was vanquished, St. Mamiliano christened the island Montecristo and built a monastery that thrived for centuries. The monastery is no longer active, but the ruins of the structure are still visible.
San Mamiliano monastery at Island of Montecristo (formerly Oglasa) in the Tyrrhenian Sea part of the Tuscan Archipelago in Portoferraio, Italy
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Today, the island of Montecristo is uninhabited, with the exception of a few Italian Forestry Corps personnel and their families. Montecristo is a scenic nature preserve populated by goats, rabbits, and a sizable population of snakes. It also serves as a vital habitat for migrating birds.
If you’re not afraid of snakes and would love to explore a remote island that may or may not contain buried treasure, you can apply for a special temporary visa that allows visitors to sightsee for one day. It’s important to note that the island of Montecristo is protected by the Italian government, so visitors are encouraged to leave no trace and refrain from digging for buried treasure.
Cala Maestra beach at Island of Montecristo (formerly Oglasa) in the Tyrrhenian Sea part of the Tuscan Archipelago in Portoferraio, Italy
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Writer Alexandre Dumas was so enchanted by the island of Montecristo that the remote island inspired him to write a timeless adventure novel. If you’re an adventurer at heart, perhaps a visit to the island of Montecristo will inspire you to write your own adventure novel about visiting an island teeming with rambunctious goats and snakes.