The romantic and a bit sad story of Li Galli island, the private paradise most fascinating of the Mediterranean easily reachable from Capri Island. LI GALLI, AMALFI COAST - Between Capri and Positano there is an archipelago of three islands known by the name of Li Galli, as well as The Sireneuse, because in the past the idea that it was inhabited by the sirens was more than a guess. The largest of the islands has an elongated shape that suggests the outline of a dolphin, called Gallo Lungo and has been inhabited since Roman times. Among the most distinguished guests of this Mediterranean paradise there were Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, Sophia Loren and Jacqueline Kennedy. At the dawn of the 20's the russian dancer and choreographer Leonide Massine found a beautiful island, covered with Roman ruins and uninhabited and bought it. The roman watchtower standing for over 200 years turned it into a studio with a lot of open-air theater. Afte the death of the dancer, Li Galli was purchased by another Russian dancer, more known to the public. Rudolf Nureyev was in love with Gallo Lungo and had planned to open a dance school on the island. The premature death cause to the AIDS prevented him from realizing his dream and in 1988 Li Galli was again deserted. Nureyev left however the signs of his presence and decorated the villa built by his predecessor (Villa Giovanni) with an incredible collection of tiles from Seville. All the rooms were furnished with the beloved Kilim of Nureyev and many beautiful handcrafted lamps. In 1996 Giovanni Russo bought Li Galli along the beautiful Villa Treville (with views of Li Galli) in Positano and spent the next 15 years and 28 million euro to restore it. zingarate.com

Ambrita 9 ago Via Flipboard