Isola Bella

Isola Bella, located near Taormina in Sicily, is an enchanting island known as The Pearl of the Ionian Sea.

Nestled in a picturesque bay on the Ionian Sea, this small rocky island was a private estate until 1990, when it was purchased by the Region of Sicily and converted into a nature reserve managed by the World Wide Fund for Nature. The island is accessible via a narrow path that connects it to the mainland beach, and its rocky shores are popular with sunbathers.

In 1806, King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies gifted the island to the town of Taormina. It later caught the eye of Ms. Trevelyan, who acquired it from the town and constructed a seaside house. She also introduced exotic plants that flourished in the Mediterranean climate.

Various owners maintained the island until financial troubles led to its auction in 1990. As early as 1983, conservationists had advocated for its protection, and it was promptly designated as a natural reserve by the Region.

Today, Isola Bella hosts several species of birds and a variety of lizards.

Photo: gnuckx