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Pheasant Island is a tiny island on the border
between Spain and France that alternates ownership status between the
two countries every six months.
Located on the Bidasoa River, the natural border between Spain and
France, Pheasant Island is a deserted patch of land with a rather
fascinating history and political status. It might not look like much
today, but hundreds of years ago it was where the Thirty Years’ War
between Spain and France finally ended. The two countries sent a couple
of their most important dignitaries to the island to negotiate, with
their respective armies gathered on both sides of the Bidasoa, in case
things went wrong. 11 years and 24 summits later, a deal was struck, and
Pheasant Island became the world’s smallest condominium, under the joint
sovereignty of the two nations.
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When France and Spain decided to end their long war, Pheasant Island
became a metaphor for long-lasting peace. French King Louis XIV married
the daughter of King Philip IV, Maria Theresa of Spain on the tiny
island, a monument to commemorate the historic agreement was built in
the center of it, and most importantly, it was decided that, from that
point on, both countries would have joint custody of the territory for
six months out of a year.
Since 1660, when the landmark agreement was struck, Pheasant Island has
belonged to Spain from 1 February to 31 July of each year, and to France
for the other half of the year. Visitors are only allowed onto the
island on rare occasions, like the bi-annual handover ceremony, or on
rare heritage tours. Other than that, employees of the municipal
governments of Irun, in Spain, and Hendaye, in France, will venture onto
Pheasant Island every six months for cleaning and gardening work.
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The Naval Commands of both Spain and France are responsible for
monitoring Pheasant Island, so during their six months of annual
ownership crews will land on it every five days. |