Though these days it’s known as an exclusive beach resort and famous for it’s regattas and yachts, the coastline away from the port around Punta Ala is gorgeous and well worth seeing. Its castle, towers and fortifications were built by the Medici in the 16th century to protect the caostline from pirates, and it held a vital strategic position as the border between the Principality of Piombino in the north and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany to the south.

Punta Ala’s name comes from the aviator and fascist politician Italo Balbo, who bought fortifications and villas in the area, was one of the architects of the March on Rome which brought Mussolini to power, built the Italian Air Force, and opposed Italy’s alliance with Nazi Germany because he he was firmly against antisemitism. He died early in World War II when he was governor of Italian Libya, when his plane was shot down accidentally by Italian anti-aircraft guns, which was… unfortunate.