Island of Elba

Apart from Napoleon Bonaparte, who wanted to get off Elba as soon as possible, anyone once here feels great. Tuscany lovers enjoy a surprisingly mild climate and lush Mediterranean vegetation, fans of scuba diving here awaits an almost pristine underwater world, and well-equipped moorings and harbors attract yachtsmen.

Elba is the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago, lying 10 km southwest of the mainland port of Piombino on the Ligurian Sea. It was formerly known for its rich reserves of iron ore, a treasure enjoyed as far back as the Etruscans. After the Portoferraio blast furnaces were literally wiped out by bombing raids during World War II, the iron and steel industry ceased to exist. Today, tuna fishing, fruit farming and viticulture have also lost their importance. For a good three decades the islanders have been living off the income from tourism.

.

The history of Elba is the history of many of its rulers. In the 11th century the island belonged to Pisa, from 1284. – Genoa, then to Lucca, and in 1736 it was ceded to Spain. In 1814, Elba was given to Napoleon, who was deprived of the throne; he stayed here from May 3, 1814 to February 26, 1815. The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) gave the island to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and in 1860 Elba became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

. Contents

How to get there

Most travelers choose to take the ferry from Piombino to Portoferraio. Vehicle ferries from Toremar and Moby Lines have a wait of about an hour, with trips from 6.00 to 22.30. There are also connections from Piombino to Cavo and Porto Azzuro, and hydrofoils to Portoferraio and Cavo. During the summer season, tickets must be booked in advance.

.

Travel around the island of Elba

Through the charming bay of Procchio, with one of the most beautiful beaches of the island, heading west, you reach the small harbor town of Marciana Marina (2000 inhabitants), where a conspicuous 12th century Saracen tower stands by the harbor

.

After 4 km of winding and steep road inland, the route leads to the center of Elba winemaking, located among chestnut forests. The small village of Marciana Alta (374 meters, 2300 inhabitants) will enchant you with its tangled streets and the ruins of an ancient Pisan fortress built in 1450 by the Appiani family. Dig deeper into history at the Archaeological Museum on Via del Pretorio, where Etruscan and Roman archaeological finds are on display. The road then leads to the pilgrimage church of Madonna del Monte (Madonna del Monte, 16th century) standing at an altitude of 672 meters

.

The highest part of the island is Monte Capanne (1018 m), to which there is a cable car from Marciana. The climb on foot from Poggio takes 3 hours. But you will have a magnificent view of the whole archipelago.

.

Through the mountain villages of Poggio, Sant’Illario (Sant’Illario), San Piero in Campo (San Piero in Campo – by the way, here is worthy of attention Romanesque church with frescoes XIV-XV centuries.) route leads to a popular vacation spot – Marina di Campo (4100 inhabitants). Two kilometers of sandy beach attracts surfers, divers, and just lovers of sun and night entertainment. You can admire the beautiful underwater world without diving: there is an aquarium (M 2) not far from the place.

.

Even more beaches await vacationers on the bays of Lacona and Stella. From here it is worth visiting the lovely mountain village of Capoliveri (Capoliveri, 167 m; 2700 inhabitants), which used to be known for its iron ore and mineral deposits. Today the place is lined with romantic streets, bars and stores inviting you to explore.

.

A few kilometers to the northeast in a picturesque long bay is the fishing town of Porto Atsuro, fortified by the Spanish in the XVII century, famous for its azure harbor and the fort Longone (Longone) built around 1603 in the shape of a five-pointed star. Today it houses a prison.

.

The next stop is the former iron ore unloading port of Rio Marina (3,000 inhabitants). The rusty color of the facades of the houses on the main street, bordered by plane trees, testifies to the high iron oxide content of the nearby mines. Mineral enthusiasts will find it interesting to visit the town hall, which tells about the deposits and mines.

.

Before returning to Portoferraio, you should look around: you can see the fortress on the rock from afar. This is Volterraio, which rises like an eagle’s nest on the cone of the mountain. The secluded fortress was built by the Pisans around 1284, and the outer fortification appeared in the XVII century. A winding road leads up to the top, then you have to walk for about 30 meters (it is better to wear sturdy shoes) – the walk will give you a fantastic view of the surroundings.

.

Portoferraio – the capital of Elba

Portoferraio (Portoferraio, Latin for port of iron; 11,500 inhabitants), the capital of the island of Elba and the entire Tuscan archipelago, lies on a spit in a natural harbor. During the summer months, the cafes and restaurants of the Old Town on Via Garibaldi, Piazza della Repubblica Piazza Cavour and at the pier of the port of Darsena are bustling with activity.

.

In 1548, Cosimo I de’ Medici commissioned the architects Bellucci and Camerini to build the fortresses Forte Stella and Forte Falcone, today examples of Renaissance military architecture. Enter the Old Town through the Porte a Mare gate, then the road heads upwards to Piazza della Repubblica. On the nearby Via Napoleone stands the small church of Chiesa della Misericordia, where a posthumous bronze mask of Napoleon can be seen alongside an image of the Madonna attributed to Tino da Camaíno (13th-14th centuries). The 16th-century former Franciscan monastery opposite the church now houses the Pinacoteca Foresiana (Pinacoteca Foresiana). It is the only art gallery on Elba, with many paintings of views of the city and landscapes of the island. From here the path leads to Piazza Napoleone, the highest part of the Old Town, where the Villa dei Mulini, originally a courthouse and prison, stands. In 1814 the building was rebuilt as Napoleon’s city residence. It is worth a visit if only for the beautiful view; (and the only one of the few original exhibits is the emperor’s luxurious four-poster bed).

.

About 6 km southwest of Portoferraio, on the slope of the forested mountain Monte Sap Martino, stands the elegant summer residence of Napoleon (Villa Napoleone). On the second floor, eight rooms are open to the public, including the Egyptian Room, whose murals glorify Napoleon’s victories in the former Pharaohs’ domain. Downstairs stands a neoclassical palace built in 1852 by Russian Prince Anatoly Demidov, a relative of the numerous Bonaparte family.

.

Tuscan Archipelago

The Tuscan Archipelago (Arcipelago Toscano) consists of seven main islands and many smaller islets that lie between the coast and the island of Corsica. To protect the flora and fauna, part of the archipelago was declared a national park in 1990, and the park was significantly expanded in 1998.

.

The beautiful islands were for many years home to prisons. But the detention centers at Capraia and Pianosa (Pianosa) have long since closed, and the bays are now filled with divers and snorkelers. The only “prison island” remains Gorgona, which requires special permission to visit. The same applies to the strictly protected conservation area, Montecristo Island.

.

The steep, rocky island of Giglio and above all its three villages of Porto, Castello and Campese are highly prized by Italian vacationers. There are several flights a day from Porto S. Stefano. The docking place is the port of Giglio Porto. Castello, the main settlement and administrative center of the island, is located on an elevated position; the houses are carved into the fortification wall. The fishing village of Campese and its pleasant bay, bounded by the Torre de Campese tower (Torre de Campese, 1705), are picturesque. Campese has the longest and most crowded beach on the island in summer. On the south coast of Giglio there is still unspoiled nature. On the eastern coast, old harbor buildings clutter the narrow coastal strip. The powerful Torre del Porto (Torre del Porto) tower was erected in 1596

.

Information

Calata Italia 26, Portoferraio;Tel: 0565914671;Fax: 05 65 91 63 50;www.aptelba.it

.