Porto Rafael
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate development, resort development |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Founder | Raphael Neville, Dino Da Ponte, Roddy Wilson |
| Headquarters | Palau , Italy |
Area served | Porto Rafael, Sardinia |
The quaint resort of Porto Rafael, situated on the northeastern shore of Sardinia, was established in the late 1950s by Raphael Neville, who held the title Count of Berlanga de Duero. Raphael, an artist and son of the Hollywood filmmaker Edgar Neville, received his education in Paris and London but chose to follow a bohemian path that included performing as a dancer at the Follies Bergères.
In 1959, Neville came across a picturesque bay near Palau, Sardinia, and acquired land positioned between Baia di Nelson and Punta Sardegna. Embracing the philosophy "Sognare e Vivere" (to dream and to live), he embarked on developing the site. By 1960, with encouragement from American actress Shirley Douglas, he initiated the construction of a modest harbor primarily based on his own designs. The initial architecture, including the chapel dedicated to Saint Rita, was crafted by Michele Busiri Vici, renowned for his work in Porto Cervo. Subsequent architectural input from figures such as Alberto Ponis introduced elements of modernism.
Porto Rafael became a favored retreat for celebrities desiring discretion away from the more ostentatious atmosphere of Porto Cervo. Among its notable visitors were Peter Ward, sibling of the Earl of Dudley, and Maureen Dufferin, heiress to the Guinness fortune. The resort's central area features amenities such as a delicatessen, bars, a restaurant, boutiques, beaches, a yacht club located at Marina Porto Rafael, and tennis facilities.
In 1961, Neville collaborated with Italian financier Dino Da Ponte and engineer Roddy Wilson to establish the Anglo-Italiana company. This venture offered 140 hectares for private ownership and development; all available plots have since been acquired. The resort continues to be appreciated for its thoughtful planning, distinctive allure, and seclusion.
Neville maintained a deep connection with Porto Rafael until his passing in 1996; his birthday is honored annually on August 21 in the Piazzetta.
References
Obituary of Raphael Neville in La Republica
Sardinia by Alberto Ponis
Sardinia by Dana Facaros & Michael Pauls