# La Maddalena

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Comune in Sardinia, Italy

La Maddalena Sa Madalena (Sardinian) A Madalena (Corsican) Comune Comune di La Maddalena View of La Maddalena Flag Coat of arms La Maddalena Location of La Maddalena in Sardinia Show map of Sardinia La Maddalena La Maddalena (Italy) Show map of Italy Coordinates: 41°12′55″N 9°24′25″E / 41.21528°N 9.40694°E / 41.21528; 9.40694 Country Italy Region Sardinia Province Gallura North-East Sardinia Frazioni Moneta, Stagnali Government • Mayor Fabio Lai Area [1] • Total 52.01 km2 (20.08 sq mi) Elevation 27 m (89 ft) Population (2026)[2] • Total 10,449 • Density 200.9/km2 (520.3/sq mi) Demonym Maddalenini Time zone UTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST) Postal code 07020, 07024 Dialing code 0789 Patron saint St. Mary Magdalene Saint day July 22 Website Official website

**La Maddalena** ([Sardinian](/source/Sardinian_language): *Sa Madalena*, [Corsican](/source/Corsican_language): *A Madalena*) is a town and *[comune](/source/Comune)* (municipality) located on the islands of the [Maddalena archipelago](/source/Maddalena_archipelago) in the [Province of Gallura North-East Sardinia](/source/Province_of_Gallura_North-East_Sardinia) in the autonomous island region of[Sardinia](/source/Sardinia) in [Italy](/source/Italy). It has 10,449 inhabitants.[2]

It is one of [I Borghi più belli d'Italia](/source/I_Borghi_pi%C3%B9_belli_d'Italia) ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").[3]

## History

The seat of the Admiralty.

Petty Officer School of the Italian Navy.

La Maddalena has undergone many name changes: the Romans named it *Ilva*, *Fussa* and *Bucina* and in the Middle Ages the island was known as "Bicinara" before being given the name of *Santa Maria Magdalena* in the 16th century. After this it finally became known as La Maddalena.

The Maddalena archipelago is known from archaeological evidence to have been occupied in prehistoric times, but its [written history](/source/Recorded_history) begins with the [Roman Empire](/source/Roman_Empire).

After the fall of the [Western Roman Empire](/source/Western_Roman_Empire) the islands were completely abandoned until the 12th century, when they were chosen by [Benedictine](/source/Benedictine) monks founding small communities there. The islands were the object of a dispute between the Republics of [Pisa](/source/Republic_of_Pisa) and [Genoa](/source/Republic_of_Genoa) in the 12th century.

In 1584 all the monasteries on the islands were destroyed by one of the [Ottoman](/source/Ottoman_Empire) raids. In the 17th century shepherds began to bring their flocks to the islands in the winter months.

Its location in the Strait of Bonifacio, through which much maritime traffic must pass, turned the archipelago into a strategic military position. In 1767 it was occupied by the [Savoy-Piedmontese](/source/House_of_Savoy). The nucleus of the present town of La Maddalena emerged then.

In 1793 a [French](/source/France) expedition, in which [Napoleon Bonaparte](/source/Napoleon_Bonaparte) took part, unsuccessfully tried to occupy the island. It was the first combat experience of Napoleon Bonaparte. During all the [Napoleonic Wars](/source/Napoleonic_Wars) Admiral [Horatio Nelson](/source/Horatio_Nelson) used the archipelago of La Maddalena as a base for his fleet in actions against the French.

A base was established here by the Italian *[Regia Marina](/source/Regia_Marina)* (Royal Navy) in 1887. In 1943, during World War II, [Benito Mussolini](/source/Benito_Mussolini) was briefly held prisoner here: his imprisonment took place in [Villa Webber](/source/Villa_Webber) from 7 to 27 August.

The former Naval Arsenal at the Moneta locality was planned to host the [35th G8 Summit](/source/35th_G8_Summit) in 2009, which later was moved to [L'Aquila](/source/L'Aquila).[4]

## Geography

The La Maddalena comune covers all the territory of the La Maddalena archipelago including the islands: Barrettini, Barettinelli, Bisce, Budelli, Camizie, Cappuccini, Caprera, Chiesa, Colombo, Corcelli, Delle Bocche, Italiani, Le Camere, Nibani, Maddalena, Monaci, Mortorio, Pecora, Piana, Porco, Porro, Presa, Razzoli, Santa Maria, Santo Stefano, Soffi, Spargi and Spargiotto.[5]

### The town

*Piazza Comando* in La Maddalena.

La Maddalena is the largest town in the [Maddalena archipelago](/source/Maddalena_archipelago), just 2 kilometres (1 mile) from the northeastern shore of Sardinia and sitting in the [Strait of Bonifacio](/source/Strait_of_Bonifacio), between it and [Corsica](/source/Corsica).

The focal-point of pedestrian activity is around Piazza Umberto I (formerly known as Piazza Comando-the older generation of natives in town still commonly refer to the piazza by its original name). There is an adjacent via (Garibaldi) that connects the port (Banchina Commerciale I) facing the Island of Santo Stefano and Piazza Umberto I with city hall. Via Garibaldi is surrounded by commercial shops, restaurants, and bars.

La Maddalena now derives much of its income from [tourism](/source/Tourism). The only method of traveling to La Maddalena is by boat, with car ferries travelling from nearby [Palau](/source/Palau%2C_Sardinia) in Sardinia.

The natives of La Maddalena speak a [Sardo-Corsican](/source/Corsican_language#Sardinia) dialect known as *Maddalenino*.

### The island

The island of Maddalena has several beaches, including Bassa Trinita and Spalmatore. It is characterized by rocky granitic terrain and has some ancient fortifications. It is connected by causeway with the nearby island of [Caprera](/source/Caprera), known as the last residence of the Italian revolutionary [Giuseppe Garibaldi](/source/Giuseppe_Garibaldi).[6]

## Demographics

As of 2026, the population is 10,449, of which 50.2% are male, and 49.8% are female. Minors make up 11.5% of the population, and seniors make up 28.2%.[2]

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Historical population Year Pop. ±% 1861 1,901 — 1871 1,929 +1.5% 1881 1,895 −1.8% 1901 8,033 +323.9% 1911 8,809 +9.7% 1921 10,301 +16.9% 1931 12,330 +19.7% 1936 10,968 −11.0% Year Pop. ±% 1951 10,370 −5.5% 1961 11,169 +7.7% 1971 10,724 −4.0% 1981 11,318 +5.5% 1991 11,048 −2.4% 2001 11,369 +2.9% 2011 10,936 −3.8% 2021 10,687 −2.3% Source: ISTAT[7][8]

### Immigration

As of 2025, immigrants make up 6.7% of the total population. The 5 largest foreign countries of birth are [Romania](/source/Romania), [France](/source/France), [Senegal](/source/Senegal), [Morocco](/source/Morocco), and [Ukraine](/source/Ukraine).[9]

The Old Town.

La Maddalena Port.

## International relations

### Twin towns - sister cities

- [Ajaccio](/source/Ajaccio), [France](/source/France)

- [Nice](/source/Nice), [France](/source/France)

## See also

- [List of islands of Italy](/source/List_of_islands_of_Italy)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-area_1-0)** ["Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011"](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) (in Italian). [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-population_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-population_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-population_2-2) ["Resident population"](https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=POS&l=en). [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Sardegna"](https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/sardegna/) (in Italian). 10 January 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-lamiasardegna_4-0)** de Tisi, Claudio. ["Arcipelago de La Maddalena"](http://www.lamiasardegna.it/lamaddalenaisole.htm). *La mia Sardegna*. Retrieved 2019-06-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["I Nostri Comuni"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190310163929/http://www.unionegallura.gov.it/it/contenuti/articoli/dettagli/393/). *Unione dei Comuni Gallura* (in Italian). Archived from [the original](http://www.unionegallura.gov.it/it/contenuti/articoli/dettagli/393/) on 2019-03-10. Retrieved 2019-06-13.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [La Maddalena](https://www.viajarcerdena.com/archipielago-maddalena.php) (in Spanish)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Popolazione residente dei comuni. Censimenti dal 1861 al 1991"](https://web.archive.org/web/20251112200324/https://ebiblio.istat.it/digibib/Censimenti%20popolazione/Censimentipopolazioneresidentedal1861/RML0050288Pop_res_cens_1861_1991.pdf) [Resident population of the municipalities. Censuses from 1861 to 1991] (PDF) (in Italian). [ISTAT](/source/National_Institute_of_Statistics_(Italy)). Archived from [the original](https://ebiblio.istat.it/digibib/Censimenti%20popolazione/Censimentipopolazioneresidentedal1861/RML0050288Pop_res_cens_1861_1991.pdf) (PDF) on 2025-11-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-timeseries_8-0)** ["Resident population - Time series"](https://esploradati.istat.it/databrowser/#/en/censpop/dashboards). [ISTAT](/source/National_Institute_of_Statistics_(Italy)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-foreignborn_9-0)** ["Resident population by sex, municipality and citizenship"](https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=RCS&a=&l=en). [ISTAT](/source/Italian_National_Institute_of_Statistics).

## External links

- [The Italian Tourist Board](https://web.archive.org/web/20021213205532/http://italiantourism.com/island2a.html)

- [The British National Archives](http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nelson/gallery7/)

- [Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena](http://www.parks.it/parco.nazionale.arcip.maddalena/Epar.html)

- [The Napoleon Series](http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/battles/c_maddalena.html)

- [Arcipelago di La Maddalena National Park](http://www.lamaddalenapark.it/parco-generale.php3) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081020044306/http://www.lamaddalenapark.it/parco-generale.php3) 2008-10-20 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Geography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Geography)
- [Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Islands)
- [Italy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Italy)

v t e Maddalena archipelago Main islands Budelli Caprera La Maddalena Santa Maria Santo Stefano Spargi Razzoli Minor islands Barrettini Bisce Chiesa Corcelli Giardinelli Le Camere Li Nibani Mortorio Pecora Piana Porco Presa Soffi Spargiotto Islets and skerries Abbatoggia Barrettinelli Barrettinelli di Fuori Cala Lunga Capicciolu Cardellino Carpa Cau Cappuccini Italiani Monaci Paduleddi Poveri Roma Scaviccio Spargiottello Stramanari

v t e Sardinia · Comuni of the Province of Gallura North-East Sardinia Aggius Aglientu Alà dei Sardi Arzachena Badesi Berchidda Bortigiadas Buddusò Budoni Calangianus Golfo Aranci La Maddalena Loiri Porto San Paolo Luogosanto Luras Monti Olbia Oschiri Padru Palau San Teodoro Sant'Antonio di Gallura Santa Teresa Gallura Telti Tempio Pausania Trinità d'Agultu e Vignola

Authority control databases International VIAF GND National United States Czech Republic Geographic MusicBrainz area Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [La Maddalena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Maddalena) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Maddalena?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.