Island of Asinara

I visited this tentative WHS in March 2017. I had already seen the island and the outstanding gulf of Asinara from the pristine La Pelosa Beach near Stintino (north-western tip of Sardinia) and that is the most photogenic way of capturing Asinara's beauty.

Asinara is a 52 square kilometre uninhabited island and a wildlife and nature reserve as well as a national park. It is home to a population of 'wild' Albino donkeys. Asinara is mainly mountainous with steep rocky coasts and low scrub vegetation.

Surrounding the island are very deep seas which are home to a variety of marine species. If you're lucky you might also spot dolphins on your way to the island. However, there are 3 beautiful sandy beaches and the different hues of crystal clear water are something I experienced only in exotic destinations such as French Polynesia, Seychelles or the Caribbean.

Human habitation on the island dates back to the Neolithic Age, with Domus de Janas near Campu Perdu. Carved into soft limestone, the constructions are believed to be unique to the island. A lazaretto was built when Asinara became state property in 1885. During the First World War, Asinara was also used as a prison camp and during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War it was used as a place of detention. That is why there are a number of buildings at Cala d'Oliva which have now been turned over to the national park authorities.

Asinara's waters offshore were zoned and there are two large no …