The name “Montecristo” probably immediately brings to mind The Count of Monte Cristo, the adventure novel by French author Alexandre Dumas that was released in 1844 and is one of the author's most popular and famous works, along with The Three Musketeers.
The story takes place in France, Italy, and islands in the Mediterranean during the historical events of 1815–1839 and centres around a man who is wrongfully imprisoned and later gets revenge.
It is considered an indisputable literary classic today and has been directly adapted to film, television and stage, as well being the inspiration for many similar tales of revenge and is the precursor to a long history of such tales over the years.
The story takes place in France, Italy, and islands in the Mediterranean during the historical events of 1815–1839 and centres around a man who is wrongfully imprisoned and later gets revenge.
It is considered an indisputable literary classic today and has been directly adapted to film, television and stage, as well being the inspiration for many similar tales of revenge and is the precursor to a long history of such tales over the years.
Montecristo, however, is actually a real place, a stunning Italian island that is a natural, cultural and historic gem. Find a vacation rental in Livorno and you can discover this magic little gem for yourself. It is only open to around a thousand tourists a year and is highly protected but if you manage to snag a visit, you'll be blown away!
The history of the island begins with the Iron Age, was used by Etruscans for its oak forests, was named Oglasa or Ocrasia by the Greeks and Mons Jovis by the Romans, who erected an altar to Iuppiter Optimus Maximus, of which some traces remain, on the highest mountain.
Around the middle of the fifth century AD the caves of the island became home to several hermits and they christened it “Mons Christi”, from which the modern name is derived. Later a rich monastery grew up on the island and this gave rise to a legend of hidden treasure.
The history of the island begins with the Iron Age, was used by Etruscans for its oak forests, was named Oglasa or Ocrasia by the Greeks and Mons Jovis by the Romans, who erected an altar to Iuppiter Optimus Maximus, of which some traces remain, on the highest mountain.
Around the middle of the fifth century AD the caves of the island became home to several hermits and they christened it “Mons Christi”, from which the modern name is derived. Later a rich monastery grew up on the island and this gave rise to a legend of hidden treasure.
It was abandoned in the 16th century and multiple attempts to colonise it were made in the 19th century. The few modern buildings of Monte Cristo, such as the Royal Villa, date from this period. It was then purchased by the Italian Government on 3 June 1869 for the sum of £100,000. The nature reserve was established in 1971.
The conditions that restricted the establishment of human settlements mean that animals and plants once found throughout the Mediterranean still live on the island. It is, today, a stunning and unpolluted natural gem that is steeped in history and fascinating, as a result. Should you get the chance to visit, jump at it, as this is one of the best hidden gems in Italy.
The conditions that restricted the establishment of human settlements mean that animals and plants once found throughout the Mediterranean still live on the island. It is, today, a stunning and unpolluted natural gem that is steeped in history and fascinating, as a result. Should you get the chance to visit, jump at it, as this is one of the best hidden gems in Italy.
Photo credit
Picture 1: Pierre Bona / CC BY-SA 3.0
Picture 1: Pierre Bona / CC BY-SA 3.0