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Punta Ala Punta Ala | |
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 Port of Punta Ala | |
  Punta Ala Location of Punta Ala in Italy | |
| Coordinates:42°48′07″N10°45′14″E / 42.8019°N 10.7539°E /42.8019; 10.7539 | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region |  Tuscany |
| Province | Grosseto (GR) |
| Comune | Castiglione della Pescaia |
| Elevation | 38 m (125 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 402 |
| Demonym | Puntalese(i) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 58040 |
| Dialing code | (+39) 0564 |
Punta Ala (formerly Punta Troia) is afrazione of the town ofCastiglione della Pescaia, in theprovince of Grosseto,Tuscany, Italy. The small town with a population of 402 people[1] lies at the bottom of the northern hillsides of the promontory of the same name. The coastal town is a popular summer seaside destination.
Previously known asPunta Troia (derived from the LatinPort Traiani), changed its name to Punta Ala (from aviation jargon, Ala means wing in Italian) after the Italian aviatorItalo Balbo, who had purchased some fortifications and villas in the area which later became his residences. Punta Ala literally translates to "point wing", describing the whole area as a wing of a plane with Punta Ala situated in the very tip of it.
The modern day tourist center developed during the course of the twentieth century, particularly in the 1960s withe the plan of the architectWalter Di Salvo. The village is known for its residential and commercial buildings withcontemporary architecture, designed by architects such asFranco Albini,Franca Helg,Ignazio Gardella,Alfonso Stocchetti, andLudovico Quaroni.
The town is famous for its sailing regattas which are held by the localYacht Club Punta Ala and the well equipped tourist port, the home ofLuna Rossa.
While Punta Ala becomes a popular family destination during the summer, the place is a tourist destination of the elite in every season, thanks to its luxury residences, second homes, boats moored at the local port and the polo club.[2]
While presenting itself as a modern, functional and exclusive beach resort, Punta Ala was situated in a vital strategical position on the border between thePrincipality of Piombino in the north and theGrand Duchy of Tuscany to the south.
The fear ofpirate invasions forced the construction of some fortifications to protect the coast.
TheHidalgo Tower, overlooking the modern town, was built during the sixteenth century to defend the far end of the southern principality of Piombino.
Il Castello di Punta Ala (Punta Ala castle), was also built in the sixteenth century by theMedici on the headland to the south-east of the site for the control of the north coast of Castiglione della Pescaia.
TheAppiani Tower was built by its name sake to further enhance the defense system of the principality.
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