Gallinara, Protected island in Ligurian Sea, Italy.
Gallinara is a small island in the Ligurian Sea off the coast of Savona province. It spans roughly 11 hectares and rises to about 87 meters at its highest point, with a coastline that resembles a turtle's shell when viewed from above.
The island is closely linked to Saint Martin, who lived there as a hermit before continuing his spiritual mission toward Gaul. During the medieval period, it became an important religious center with an active monastic community.
The island served as a pilgrimage destination during medieval times, drawing visitors who sought to venerate Saint Martin. Today, archaeological remains tell the story of its spiritual importance to communities across the region for many centuries.
The island has been protected as a nature reserve since 1989 and is subject to strict regulations for wildlife conservation. Visitors should know that only certain areas are accessible and that careful behavior is needed to protect the environment.
The island hosts one of the Mediterranean's largest herring gull colonies, with thousands of nesting birds. The surrounding waters also conceal remnants of ancient Roman vessels that continue to reveal details about maritime trade routes and shipwrecks.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
