Tranquility Facing Baron Island

 You could say that the Mar Menor is a sea of ​​tranquility (unlike the one on the Moon). It is a magnificent place to enjoy Europe's largest saltwater lagoon (by swimming or diving) and a fantastic spot for all kinds of water sports (except surfing, as there are no waves). In the background lies Isla del Barón (Baron Island), also known as Isla Mayor (Big Island), which is of volcanic origin (like the other four islands in this inland sea, as well as Isla Grosa, which lies outside the lagoon).

Now, a touch of nobility before we delve into the island's origins and history:

Hierarchy of noble ranks (in order, from lowest to highest): Baron / Baroness. Viscount / Viscountess. Count / Countess (or Earl in Britain. Marquess / Marchioness (or Margrave. Duke / Duchess: The highest non-sovereign rank of the peerage, just below royalty. Prince / Princess & Grand Duke / Grand  Duchess. King / Queen & Emperor / Empress.

Currently, Baron Island is under a Marchioness proprietary. So, let's go with name's origin:

It is historically associated with the Baron of Benifayó (Don Julio Falcó d'Adda), who purchased the property in the 19th century and commissioned the construction of a Neo-Mudéjar style mansion.

The Italian-born nobleman Don Julio Falcó d'Adda (Baron of Benifayó) was banished and confined to Isla Mayor. The reason for his punishment was that he had killed Diego de Castañeda in a duel of honor while defending María Victoria dal Pozzo, who shortly thereafter became Queen Consort of Spain through her marriage to Amadeo from House of Savoy (Amadeo I of Spain).

Despite his captivity, the baron fell completely in love with the landscape of the Mar Menor. Once his sentence ended around 1878, he purchased the island from the Spanish Navy, which had been the legitimate owner of the land since 1726. The baron transformed the mansion into a leisure residence, where he hosted lavish hunting parties and exclusive gatherings for the aristocracy of the era.

At one of those celebrations, he met a young Russian princess with whom he fell madly in love. Local legend has it that the romance ended in tragedy: the young woman was allegedly murdered on the island, driven by court jealousy. For generations, fishermen from the Mar Menor have kept alive the myth that, on full-moon nights, the princess's specter still wanders the island's beaches.

Baron Island passed from the Baron of Benifayó to the Figueroa family in 1899, when it was acquired from the baron's heir by José Ignacio Figueroa Mendieta (or through the mediation of the Figueroa family, linked to the Count of Romanones).

Currently, as it is a privately owned protected area, access is highly restricted, although very limited visits organized through special arrangements with the owners are permitted. They often organize falconry displays on the island.

Over the time, amongst different famous personalities, Baron Island has been visited by HH Don Juan de Borbon, actress Ava Gardner, politician Count of Romanones, or the writer Benito Pérez Galdós.

Picture was taken from La Manga del Mar Menor.

Here, Baron Island website for more information.