Rising dramatically like a massive limestone fortress directly out of the sea opposite Olbia, the island of Tavolara is steeped in myth. According to local maritime legend, the striking silhouette of the island originated when a giant stone ship belonging to the god Poseidon was petrified after a mythical battle. Beyond its legendary origins, Tavolara boasts a fascinating modern history as the world’s smallest self-proclaimed “kingdom,” ruled historically by the Bertoleoni family, and today serves as a protected marine reserve rich in rare wildlife and pristine nature.