Punta Ala is to be found in the heart of the Maremma area in Tuscany, a region renowned the world over for its history, culture and enchanting lush surroundings. Surrounded by water and covered by a thick pine forest, Punta Ala’s headland is split in two thin strips of land that stretch to the sea; on both a tower was built: one is known as Troia Nuova (New Troy), the other goes by different names, il Barbiere (The Barber), Del Comellino (Comellino’s) or Del Principe di Piombino (Price of Piombino’s).
Historically Punta Ala was a very much sought after territory and had been disputed by several different owners for a long time. Apparently Punta Ala was first built during the 16th century by order of Cosimo I de’ Medici.
The area was later named after Italo Balbo, the first man to fly across the Atlantic, and who eventually made his home in this beautiful place. Here, Italo Balbo bought over 1,000 hectares of woodland, including the headland where the Torre di Troia – renamed Torre Balbo – the Torre Hidalgo and the misterious Torre degli Appiani rise.
The history of Punta Ala becomes particularly interesting in the 1930s when Balbo bought the whole of Punta Troia and rechristened it Punta Ala; the whole place was reclaimed. In 1973 the present-day harbour and marina was built: it now has 900 moorings for yachts and a luxury housing development.