Marina Riva di Traiano – Isola Ventatene

12 June 2024

We left the marina early after a good night’s sleep. The voyage to Isola Ventotene took about 15 hours, with 1-meter beam seas on the starboard side. I discovered that the heater had turned on overnight, so we had both the AC and heater running simultaneously. I’m not sure how it got switched on. During the voyage, we noticed that the autopilot was swinging back and forth more than necessary to maintain a straight line, given the starboard beam seas. This will need further investigation.

We found a very nice spot in Ventotene between the main island and Santo Stefano, where the Bourbon Prison was constructed at the end of the 18th century. Ventotene has a rich history dating back to Roman times when it was known as Pandataria. The island was used as a place of exile for members of the imperial family. Most famously, Augustus exiled his daughter Julia the Elder here in 2 BC due to her scandalous behavior. The remnants of ancient Roman structures, including the Villa Giulia, still stand as a testament to this period.

Santo Stefano, a small island adjacent to Ventotene, is home to a notable historical landmark—the Bourbon Prison. Built in 1795 under the orders of Ferdinand IV of Naples, the prison was designed in a panopticon style by the architect Francesco Carpi. This structure allowed guards to observe all prisoners from a central point without the inmates knowing if they were being watched. The prison held a variety of political prisoners over the centuries, including notable figures during the Italian unification and anti-fascist resistance during World War II. The prison was finally closed in 1965, but the imposing structure remains a significant historical site.

There were a few other boats anchored there, and we anchored more inland than the others, only to find out that we had anchored in rocks while they were in sand. It’s always good to take into account what others are doing, as it may be for a good reason! Nevertheless, our anchor held well, and it was easy to retrieve the next morning. The evening was calm, and we went to bed at a decent time. The gentle breeze coming through the port windows made for a sound sleep.