IF you have ever dreamed of sunning yourself on an Italian paradise of your own, now is the chance to buy an entire island – but you will have to dig deep.
The island of Punta Pennata just off Naples is located in the glorious Mediterranean Sea near the fishing town of Bacoli.
AlamyPunta Pennata is located in the Gulf of Pozzuoli, Bacoli, Naples in Italy[/caption]
AlamyMayor of Bacoli Josi Della Ragione has said he will fight anyone who tries to buy the islet[/caption]
A fight is now on to own it after Sotheby’s advertised this month that the 2,152 square-foot piece of land is up for sale.
The international realty website claims that the island is a “historical and natural gem” offering “a fascinating and unique retreat.”
While prices are available upon request, Sotheby’s predicts it will be sold for up to £8.5 million or €10 million, according to The Times.
The island will go to the highest bidder.
But before eager millionaires get their cheque books out, they will first have to consider if they want a fight with the Mayor of Bacoli.
Upon hearing the news of the sale of the island, Della Ragione declared: “We want this island back. We’ll do crowdfunding, we’ll do anything.
“This place has history — it was the Monte Carlo of the Roman era, due to the villas.
“The fleet sent out to rescue survivors from the AD79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius left from here.”
Della Ragione, whose lineage goes back to 18th-century Bacoli, is determined to fight for the ownership of the historically rich slice of land.
He told The Guardian that his town has contacted Sotheby’s with hopes of purchasing the strip of land just 100 metres offshore from the fishing village.
The mayor said: “It is an integral part of our local history, of the scenery.
“It is a peaceful, uncontaminated spot and we want to protect it.
“There are also lots of restrictions on what can be done on the island, and so it most definitely cannot be used for economic gain.
“Not even Bill Gates would be able to open a hotel here.”
He explained that the islet has “anthropological and archaeological value” thanks to its military port and ancient relics.
The island used to be part of the mainland but it split off in 1966 after a “storm surge,” Sotheby’s explained.
Not only would the successful buyer inherit the entire island and its “breathtaking views,” they will also own the villa on the island.
According to Sotheby’s the villa features a wine cellar and has seven rooms.
There is also a pier with direct access to the sea.
Bacoli’s mayor told The Guardian that the current owner who he believes lives in Naples had left the island “abandoned.”
Despite his hopes of buying the land, his estimations of its value are lower than Sotheby’s hopes for the sale.
Della Ragione said that he estimates the value is around £4.2 million or €5 million.
This is a price he says Bacoli can afford but warned that if it is more, he will campaign for further financial support from Campania’s regional authorities and the Italian government.
He said: “We must deliver it to the public. It must not be sold to a speculator.”
If successful in his bid, the mayor plans to turn the island into a kind of “open-air museum” to help educate children on the environment, he told The Guardian.
Locals are on the mayor’s side with pensioner Angelo Rannelo telling The Times: “People feel really attached to the island and say they are ready to contribute to buy it.”
“We have always felt the island was ours,” 29-year-old Francesca Di Meo added.
“I am very attached to Bacoli. I have one tattoo, the map coordinates of the town, which should tell you how strongly I feel about the place.”
AlamyThe island is on sale now and will go to the highest bidder[/caption]