Gaiola Island (Isola della Gaiola in Italian) is one of the minor islands of Naples, Italy, located in the Gulf of Naples in the heart of Gaiola Underwater Park, a protected region of about 42 hectares. The island consist of two stunning and serene islets. Located on the southern border of Posillipo and very near to the coastline – about 30 meters away, the island is easy to reach. While one of the islet has a solitary villa, the other is uninhabited. A small bridge connects the two islets, which are separated by just a few meters. The bridge is very narrow and looks like a natural arch connecting the two islets.
The island takes its name from the cavities that dot the coast of Posillipo, originating from the Latin cavea, "little cave", and then through the dialect "Caviola". Originally, the small island was known as Euplea, protector of safe navigation, and was the site of a small temple dedicated to Venus. There are also several other ruins from the time of the Romans. In fact, below the islets in the water are several Roman structures that are now the home of marine creatures. Some believe that the poet Virgil, regarded as a magician, taught here at the ruins.
In early 19th century, the island was inhabited by a hermit known as "The Wizard". Soon after, the island saw the construction of the villa that occupies it today and which was, at one time, owned by Norman Douglas, author of Land of the Siren. The island might seem as a perfect post-retirement getaway, however, the locals believe the island to be cursed, a reputation that came about because of the frequent premature death of its owners.
The series of misfortunes started sometime around the 1920s, when the then owner, a Swiss named Hans Braun, was found murdered and wrapped in a rug. A short while later his wife drowned in the sea. The villa’s next owner was the German Otto Grunback, who died of a heart attack while on the island. A similar fate befell the pharmaceutical industrialist Maurice-Yves Sandoz, who committed suicide in a mental hospital in Switzerland. Its subsequent owner, a German steel industrialist, Baron Karl Paul Langheim, was dragged to economic ruin by wild living. The island has also belonged to Gianni Agnelli, the head of Fiat, whose only son committed suicide. After his son's untimely death Gianni had started grooming his nephew Umberto Agnelli to run Fiat, but Umberto also died of some rare cancer at the young age of 33. Another owner, the multi-billionaire Paul Getty, after buying the island, had his grandson kidnapped. The island’s last owner Gianpasquale Grappone was jailed when his insurance company failed. Today, the villa is uninhabited and abandoned.
Sources: Wikipedia, Travelhunch
"The series of misfortune started..." The best example of silly conjectures I have seen in a long time.
ReplyDeleteCrazy!
ReplyDeleteEveryone's a know-all cynic wannabee these days, terrified of acknowledging anything beyond the transient material. For them, there is only themselves and now - nothing existed before they landed on the planet (usually as unwanted result of careless sex on the part of their parents). That's right - there are no curses, because you're afraid there might be. There are no dark ghosts of history still lingering - of course not, all that has ever existed are cell phones and online porn. People terrified of real magic but worshipful of stupid little gadgets with screens. That's why they will stare at these stunning photographs and see nothing. It's because their imaginations have been critically stunted by Hollywood and computer games. Never mind - history's ghosts don't rely on mental midgets for their existence. And those of you who see and feel nothing in these ruins are right to be jealous - because you'll leave no trace at all except a pile of discarded plastic gadgets
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad that you are a person.
Deletelol wat?
DeleteI totally agree with Anonymous. Well, said. well, said!
DeleteYou sad sad little man. Keep fighting technology and cling to dust.
DeletePeople seem so resistant to screen technology, yet for as long as man has existed he has embraced his technological and scientific evolution in some way or another.
You ever been in a car? Used a plow? Rode a bike? All inventions to further convenience man. You can't resist forever, considering even if they do find a way to immortalize us you won't accept it and you will fade out. Nothing more than a blip in a few people's minds. Not even marking a page in a history book. Fuck off
Banish Obama there.
ReplyDeletePlumb purty as a picture.
ReplyDeleteBring back the Temple to Venus and the bad luck and misfortune will go away from that place. Only a Venus female should ever live/own that place.
ReplyDelete" Its subsequent owner, a German steel industrialist, Baron Karl Paul Langheim, was dragged to economic ruin by wild living. "
ReplyDeleteWhere do I sign up for this curse?
Right behind you.
Deletei like to become gaiola island owner
ReplyDeleteVenus temple?
ReplyDeleteOkay, so it's abandoned. But...who actually owns it? Who is on title as the owner?
ReplyDeleteI was there yesterday and made me a sandwich.
ReplyDeleteThe place is okay.I've visited.
ReplyDeleteYes who is the owner? Fix it up,gee there must be someone in a whole country that is interested in this island/s. Nothing is mentioned if anyone was found guilty of the murder or poss murder of the wife,not sure how connection to buying the island for Getty got his grandson kidnapped like he was only rich and everything without the island..so where did the start of this curse come from? Gossip,old wives tale,or just because the owners lives made it so...the island/s would make a home for someone willing to take a chance.....someone will be brave....
ReplyDelete