If you have an interest in the source of legends that have inspired many enchanting fairytales over the years then you’d love a visit to the famous island of Montecristo off the coast of Tuscany which is still known to this day as ‘Treasure Island’!
Although there’s no accommodation on the island itself if you wish to visit, there is a fantastic range of vacation rentals all along the Tuscan coast that offer magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The legend of Montecristo Island talks of two consecutive tales.
One legend speaks of a dragon that used to live on Montecristo and would explode into a fire breathing rage if anyone dared to come close to the island. Only a man that became known later as Saint Mamiliano was brave enough to face the beast; he sailed out to the island and killed it, dumping its burned body into the sea. And there on the island he made his home in a simple cave.
Although there’s no accommodation on the island itself if you wish to visit, there is a fantastic range of vacation rentals all along the Tuscan coast that offer magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The legend of Montecristo Island talks of two consecutive tales.
One legend speaks of a dragon that used to live on Montecristo and would explode into a fire breathing rage if anyone dared to come close to the island. Only a man that became known later as Saint Mamiliano was brave enough to face the beast; he sailed out to the island and killed it, dumping its burned body into the sea. And there on the island he made his home in a simple cave.
Awed admirers came to visit him and listen to his courageous tale. As the years passed, he felt his death was coming close and told his visitors on their leave that when a white cloud was seen to be rising from the island into the sky, it meant that he had passed away.
People rushed to the island to claim his body as a relic for their hometown. His remains had many homes but finally came to rest in the church of San Matteo in the city of Pisa. A monastery was built in his honour on the island but was destroyed by ruthless Saracen pirates years later. Some of the ruins can still be seen of this sanctuary today.
People rushed to the island to claim his body as a relic for their hometown. His remains had many homes but finally came to rest in the church of San Matteo in the city of Pisa. A monastery was built in his honour on the island but was destroyed by ruthless Saracen pirates years later. Some of the ruins can still be seen of this sanctuary today.
A consecutive legend describes it as a pirate haven where rogues buried their treasure in a safe place whilst they sailed off in search of more. One day a brave group of men sailed to the island and tried digging for the treasure under the altar of Saint Mamiliano there but all they found were some blackened bones and small black vases.
But visitors can see the treasure that was fabled about today, although it was buried under the altar of St. Mamiliano in Sovana in the south of Tuscany, not under the one on the island! They can visit them here and learn all the details of this fascinating tale.
Both of these interesting tales can be learned about in greater detail by watching a dvd of a famous Italian documentary about Tuscany’s legends. A related article describes other famous legends throughout Tuscany and could be of help when planning an exciting Italian vacation here!
But visitors can see the treasure that was fabled about today, although it was buried under the altar of St. Mamiliano in Sovana in the south of Tuscany, not under the one on the island! They can visit them here and learn all the details of this fascinating tale.
Both of these interesting tales can be learned about in greater detail by watching a dvd of a famous Italian documentary about Tuscany’s legends. A related article describes other famous legends throughout Tuscany and could be of help when planning an exciting Italian vacation here!
