For the last 30 years, the beautiful island of Isle of Budelli off the coasts of Sardinia reported a single inhabitant.
As the government plants to build an environmental observatory pushes forward, Mauro Morandi’s dream of staying on the island increasingly seems difficult to achieve.
It was by pure chance that Morandi stumbled upon the pristine island. At the age of 50, he decided to sail all the way from his home in Italy to Southeast Asia. The wind and waves had a different plan in mind for him, guiding him towards the Isle of Budelli.
Morandi says that he quickly fell in love with the island and its sunsets, coral beaches and emerald-like waters. After taking over the island from the previous resident, he remains enamored with the island at the age of 81.
In an interview with CNN travel, the 81 year old Italian said he will do anything to stay on his island. Saying that he simply is not the kind who can spend a day sitting down and playing cards, Morandi says there is no home for him to return to other than the island.
Saying that he expects the official orders to come some time after summer, Morandi emphasized that he did not want to be unreasonable. He asked that he leave temporarily while the renovation takes place, then return to guard and take care of the island like he has for 31 years.
The actual legal ownership of the island is much more complicated. After a series of changes, the Isle of Budelli is currently legally owned by La Maddalena’s National Park according to CNN Travel.
The President of the company said that he has all the rights to remove any illegal constructions on the building, which includes Morandi’s hut. The hut was apparently built during WWII as a radio station, which has been illegally transformed into a residence over the years.
The legal owner acknowledged Morandi’s residence, saying that no one wants to forcefully evict him. At the same time, he argued that Morandi has no legal right to stay on the island since it is no longer private.
The hermit himself has argued that while the hut and his residence is of importance to him, conserving and protecting the pristine island is his utmost priority.
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Replaced!