New York can be called the city of Islands. Them in the Big Apple more than it might seem: Manhattan, Governors Island, Liberty Island, Staten Island, and that’s not all. But there is one island which you probably never heard of. It is called U Thant Island and is one of the places in the city, closed to the public.
U Thant Island is the East river, directly under Roosevelt Island not far from the headquarters of the United Nations. And despite its modest size, the forbidden island boasts quite an interesting history.
Forbidden island: the beginning
In 1892, in new York city began building an underground train tunnel under the East river, which was to connect Manhattan and Queens. The builders had to break through a layer of granite under the water. In the drilling process was formed debris, which has accumulated so much that the river appeared a new island.
Originally it was called Belmont Island in honor of August Belmont Jr. – the man who financed the construction of the tunnel. In our time the underground path is used for trains on metro line 7 and the island itself has since led a rather boring existence, which diluted the rare collapse of river vessels.
The renaming of the island
But in 1977, the organization of the Peace Meditation at the United Nations, a group of Buddhists, headed by artist Sri Chinmoy, bought the island from the city authorities. They renamed their purchase at U Thant Island in honor of the third Secretary General of the UN, the Burmese diplomat U Thant – friend Sri Chinmoy.
Buddhists have transformed the island, landed there, green plants and constructing a 30-foot arch, but even members of the organization Peace Meditation was permitted to visit U Thant Island several times a year. And no, it’s not about religious beliefs and not to the prohibitions of the manual. All because of enhanced security measures, which operate around the headquarters of the UN located in the neighborhood.
source: wikimedia.org/ССОбъявление sovereignty
All was quiet on the forbidden island until 2004 in new York held a national Convention of the Democratic party. Then the Director and artist named Duke Riley decided to Express his displeasure, sailed to the island in the middle of the night, hung out glow in the dark flag and declared U Thant Island sovereign state. However, it is not long lasted, as the founder was detained by the coast guard.
Our days
Currently, the island is completely closed to the public, as there is a nature reserve for migratory birds, including eared cormorants, which nest on the metal arch. However, despite the fact that to land on the island you can’t swim around it, for example, Canoeing, nobody forbids you. However, now look at U Thant Island: the island is a pile of rocks with metal debris and a towering lookout tower.
But there is in this island something absolutely adorable. It’s 125-year history, and, perhaps, the aura of mystery that surrounds any of the forbidden fruit.
