Authorities in Italy's Sardinia region have, after a years-long dispute, demolished a historic caretaker's hut that stood right in front of the famous pink beach on Budelli island. The structure, also known as the "Robinson Crusoe" house and occupied for decades by hermit Mauro Morandi, was removed by order of local environmental protection authorities. The operation began on February 26 and marks another step in the renaturation of this valuable area, part of the La Maddalena archipelago. The pink beach, known for the unique color of its sand derived from microorganism shells, has been under strict protection for years.

End of a Years-Long Dispute

The demolition of the 1960s hut ends a decades-long conflict between heritage enthusiasts and environmental protection services. The building stood in a protected area, and its legal status was unclear.

Home of a Legendary Hermit

The hut was home for over 30 years to Mauro Morandi, known as the "Guardian of Budelli." He lived there alone since the late 1980s, becoming a symbol of the island and a tourist attraction.

Protection of a Unique Ecosystem

The pink beach on Budelli is unique in the Mediterranean basin due to the pink hue of its sand. The demolition decision aims to restore the natural landscape and provide full protection for this delicate environment.

Italian authorities have ended a years-long dispute by demolishing a historic caretaker's hut that for decades stood right in front of the famous pink beach on Budelli island, in the La Maddalena archipelago off the northeastern coast of Sardinia. The operation began on February 26 and was carried out by the environmental protection services of the Sardinia region. The hut, built in the 1960s, was known as the "Robinson Crusoe" house due to its long-term resident, hermit Mauro Morandi, who moved in at the end of the 1980s and became an informal guardian and local legend. The building was located in a strictly protected area, part of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park and a Natura 2000 site. The decision to demolish was made after years of legal and administrative disputes between supporters of preserving the hut as a heritage element and officials who argued the structure violated the integrity of the protected landscape. The Italian Supreme Court ultimately confirmed the decision for its removal in 2020, recognizing the primacy of environmental protection over the building's sentimental value. Mauro Morandi, who lived alone in the hut for over three decades, was evicted in 2019. Since then, the building stood empty, awaiting a final resolution. The La Maddalena archipelago, consisting of several dozen islands, was declared a national park in 1994, and its waters and coasts are protected due to their unique nature. The pink beach on Budelli, whose sand contains shells of the microscopic marine organism called <przypis title=

Mentioned People

  • Mauro Morandi — Hermit, known as the "Guardian of Budelli," who lived in the demolished hut for over 30 years.