It is commonly called the Ogliastra Islet, but it is actually a small archipelago of three large main rocks of pink granite and red porphyry, and several smaller rocks just above the water’s edge, facing Lotzorai beach, of whose territory it is part.
The largest islet extends over 10 hectares and is just over a kilometer from the coast. You can visit it by canoe or pedal boat on calmer days, or by private or guided excursion boats, departing from Tortolì – Arbatax or Santa Maria Navarrese.
According to an ancient legend, Saracen pirates hid a treasure here. In fact, throughout the second half of the 19th century, the islet itself was a treasure trove, serving as a crucial navigation point and a valuable shelter for sailors and fishermen caught in violent storms. Ancient Arabic coins and a chest containing a manuscript have been found there.
While on maps it is little more than a rock, for all nature lovers it is a paradise of crystal-clear sea, a destination for yachtsmen who find shelter in the anchorage. In the islet’s numerous coves, you’ll see rocks transformed into natural sculptures, shaped by wind and waves. At the summit, about 50 meters above sea level, stands the statue of the Madonna dell’Ogliastra, the work of sculptor Pinuccio Sciola. Since then, the islet has also become a destination for the faithful and pilgrims: at the end of July, the feast of the Madonna, Queen of Peace, is celebrated there.
The hinterland is covered with lush Mediterranean vegetation with its unmistakable scents. It is populated by various seabirds: shearwaters, cormorants, herring gulls, and Audouin’s gulls. Its waters, an intense blue on a rocky seabed, are an ideal destination for snorkeling enthusiasts.
According to an ancient legend, Saracen pirates hid a treasure here. In fact, throughout the second half of the 19th century, the islet itself was a treasure trove, serving as a crucial navigation point and a valuable shelter for sailors and fishermen caught in violent storms. Ancient Arabic coins and a chest containing a manuscript have been found there.
While on maps it is little more than a rock, for all nature lovers it is a paradise of crystal-clear sea, a destination for yachtsmen who find shelter in the anchorage. In the islet’s numerous coves, you’ll see rocks transformed into natural sculptures, shaped by wind and waves. At the summit, about 50 meters above sea level, stands the statue of the Madonna dell’Ogliastra, the work of sculptor Pinuccio Sciola. Since then, the islet has also become a destination for the faithful and pilgrims: at the end of July, the feast of the Madonna, Queen of Peace, is celebrated there.
The hinterland is covered with lush Mediterranean vegetation with its unmistakable scents. It is populated by various seabirds: shearwaters, cormorants, herring gulls, and Audouin’s gulls. Its waters, an intense blue on a rocky seabed, are an ideal destination for snorkeling enthusiasts.
