Situated along the east coast of Sardinia, Tavolara is the world’s smallest Kingdom. Stretched across 5 kms of land, the region is ruled by an 83 year old former fisherman named ‘Tonino’.
Happened in the year 1807, when the Tonino’s great-great-grandfather Giuseppe Bertoleoni came to the island with one of his two wives and their children and later proclaimed himself as the king of the Island.
With just 11 residents in the area, the election takes place after every six years, where both males and females cast their vote.
The kingdom’s GDP is pretty strong because of the increasing tourism on the island. The Land attracts a number of visitors because of its rare variety of goats that inhabit the island.
Tavolara also opens its gates for cinema lovers, hosting a film festival, which showcases the best of Italian movies every year.
There has been a story which states that Queen Victoria sent a British naval vessel to visit the island and get pictures of Tavolara’s ‘royal family’And those pictures, still lies in the Buckingham Palace with the tag of the ‘world’s smallest kingdom’.
For the Tourists visiting the region, King Tonino personally welcomes everyone. He will also insist that you eat at his one and only restaurant on the island called ‘Da Tonino’. What a treat, No?