Colonial Deportations:Tremiti archipelago

Facade of a camerone (dormitory) on the San Nicola island (Tremiti Archipelago)

The main cameroni on the island of San Nicola were used to detain Libyan deportees between 1911 and 1912. Additionally, from 1927 to 1943, the island of San Nicola served as a police exile site for hundreds of political opponents and suspected criminals under the Fascist regime. 

Facade of a camerone (dormitory) on the San Nicola island (Tremiti Archipelago)

Between 1911 and 1912, Libyan deportees were mainly held on the island of San Nicola, while the neighbouring island of San Domenico was used as a quarantine site.

Entrance to the 'Libyan Mausoleum' on the island of San Nicola (Tremiti archipelago)

The monument was erected in 2006 to commemorate Libyan deportees who died on the Tremiti islands between 1911 and 1912. This initiative was led by the ISIAO (Italian Institute for Africa and the Orient) in collaboration with the Tremiti City Council. The monument is strategically oriented towards Mecca and originally included a tower resembling a minaret. The names of the 437 deceased are engraved on a plate located on the right side.

Signpost to the Libyan Mausoleum on the island of San Nicola (Tremiti archipelago)

The signpost reads 'in memory of the Libyans deceased on the Tremiti [islands]. The Tremity City Council'.

Back view of the 'Libyan Mausoleum' on the island of San Nicola (Tremiti archipelago)

Details of Libyan Mausoleum (Tremiti Archipelago)

The picture depicts the religious symbols that were part of the original monument, comprising a minaret with a crescent on top of it. The minaret tower has collapsed due to adverse weather conditions and now rests on the grass surrounding the monument.

Libyan Mausoleum: Names of Libyan deportees who perished on the Tremiti Archipelago