Zannone
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 26 February 2022
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Despite its diminutive dimensions, the tiny island of Zannone just off the Tyrrhenian Coast in Lazio has seen a surprising amount of controversy in modern times.
These days, the island's only inhabitants are a flock of mouflon wild sheep who were brought to the island by the Italian aristocracy to spice up hunting on the island. Things got much spicier than that however: Marquis Casati Stampa and his wife Anna Fallarino rented the island during the 1960's and subsequently turned it into a venue for their wild parties hosted for rich and famous friends. |
Zannone, Pontine Islands
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Rumours abound about the activities that took place on the island but words such as orgy and debauchery tend to work their way to the fore. Unfortunately the parties and wild living eventually took their toll, resulting in one of the most famous tragedies in 20th century Italian history. On 30th August 1970, the bodies of Marquis Camillo Casati, his wife Anna and her suspected lover Massimo Minorenti were found dead at the Marquis' apartment in Rome; an apparent double homicide followed by the Marquis's suicide.
Zannone lies around ten kilometres from Ponza; within reach of private boats but much better as part of an organised tour as there's a lot of open sea to negotiate and access to the island is also quite tricky. The tours will take you around the island, up to the ruins of the famous couple's villa via a hill path. Apart from the villa, the only other landmark on the island is a lighthouse but the resounding charm comes from the island's natural beauty which has made it an official part of the Circeo National Park.
Zannone lies around ten kilometres from Ponza; within reach of private boats but much better as part of an organised tour as there's a lot of open sea to negotiate and access to the island is also quite tricky. The tours will take you around the island, up to the ruins of the famous couple's villa via a hill path. Apart from the villa, the only other landmark on the island is a lighthouse but the resounding charm comes from the island's natural beauty which has made it an official part of the Circeo National Park.
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Journey time from Ponza Port: Around 40 minutes
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Distance from Ponza: 10 km
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