Locals Outraged Over Sotheby's Sale of Historic Island

Not only is the island surrounded by the underwater ruins of Baiae, a once-thriving resort location for wealthy Romans, but it also holds the remains of the ancient military port that Pliny the Elder left from when he attempted to rescue survivors during Mount Vesuvius' AD79 eruption. 

In a statement shared via Facebook, Bacoli’s Mayor, Josi Della Ragione, expressed his intentions of obtaining the land with public funds and turning the island into a park. “Let’s take it back!” He shared on the social media platform. 

“It is our paradise on Earth… To the people of Bacoli, to the people of Phlegre, we have a challenge to win, together. Punta Pennata will become the most beautiful and largest public park in Bacoli.” 

Though the final price of the property has not been listed by Sotheby’s, Della Ragione has estimated the island’s cost to be somewhere around €5 million, and is willing to pay it, but would seek out assistance from Campania’s regional authorities or the national government if need-be. 

“We have contacted the agency and said we would like to buy it,” Della Ragione said in a separate statement to The Guardian. “It is an integral part of our local history, of the scenery. It is a peaceful, uncontaminated spot and we want to protect it. There are also lots of restrictions on what can be done on the island and so it most definitely cannot be used for economic gain.” The island was once attached to the mainland as a peninsula, but was separated during a tidal surge in 1966. 

Della Ragione, who has compared Punta Pennata to Peter Pan’s home of Neverland, has been transparent about his hopes of turning the island into a kind of “open air museum,” arguing it “could be used by school children to study the environment.” 

“Either way,” he says, “we must deliver it to the public. It must not be sold to a speculator.” As of right now, Punta Pennata is being sold to the highest bidder by an anonymous seller.