The Kingdom of Tavolara, a tiny island off the coast of Sardinia, is celebrating its 180th anniversary this year. With just 11 part-time residents and a population of wild goats, it is considered the smallest inhabited kingdom in the world, predating Italy itself by 25 years.
Antonio Bertoleoni, known as Tonino, is the fifth king of this mini-monarchy. The 83-year-old former fisherman rules the 5sqkm island from his restaurant, The King of Tavolara, and claims his only privilege is free meals. The kingdom's origins date back to 1807 when Tonino's great-great-grandfather, Giuseppe Bertoleoni, became the first settler, fleeing a bigamy charge after marrying two sisters.
The kingdom's official status was established in 1836 when Sardinian ruler Carlo Alberto visited to hunt rare golden-toothed goats. Giuseppe's son, Paolo, boldly declared himself king, and Carlo Alberto later confirmed the island's independence, sending a scroll from the House of Savoy certifying the monarchy.
Over the years, Tavolara gained recognition from figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Queen Victoria, who displayed a photo of the royal family in Buckingham Palace. However, the installation of a NATO base in 1962 effectively ended the kingdom's independence, though it was never formally annexed by Italy.
Today, King Tonino spends his days fishing, gardening, and escorting visitors around the island, which remains a quiet paradise with no roads or hotels. Despite its unrecognised status, the Bertoleoni family continues to preserve their unique heritage.
