Elba Island
Has been the theatre of big historical events. Every Mediterranean civilization has left important marks of its own landscape . Elba was an inexhaustible mine for Etruscan people who exploited the mines and exported the iron all over the Mediterranean sea. After 5 centuries of Etruscan domain, various necropolises remain as well as some blast furnace’s ruins and numerous villages.
The Beaches in the Island (+ info)
The Romans appreciated Elba for its iron but also for the mud baths as testifies one of the two rich patrician villas, of which ruins are in the nearby of the present termal structure. During the Middle Age the pisan domain left some important and suggestive buildings used in defence of the area which show the importance of the possession of the island. The Seignory of the Appiani and Cosimo De’ Medici followed. The latter built his Cosmopoli (the present Portoferraio) on the ruins of the roman Fabricia and surrounded it with walls which saved the inhabitants from the piratical raids. The Spaniards settled into Porto Azzurro and defended the area with an imposing building. The fortress of S. Giacomo (transformed in penal colony) is still today overlooking the landscape. During the XVIII century Elba was contested by the Austrians, the Germans, the English and the French with diplomatic negotiations or with fierce battles until it was assigned to Napoleon Bonaparte who during his 10 months government left significant marks. He built roads, organised the mineral economy, increased the production and the export of wine. On his return to France Napoleon left two houses which are now National Museums attended by thousands of visitors. Nature , art and culture are enclosed in a micro-cosmos of 224square K .and create a unique atmosphere, evoke extraordinary sceneries. Fine sandy beaches, the cliff rises sheer from the sea, transparent waters and rich depths but mountains’ paths, chestnut and oak-woods, medieval villages, hotels, tourist facilities and sailing’s schools too. The island is a real discovery: the sea changes its colours, the waves break against the white cliff south while lap on the gravel beaches north. In short time you go from the granite massif of Monte Capanne, reign of the moufflons and of the wild goats, to the mineral areas of the oriental side, a real “El Dorado “ for scientists and geologists. Elba is a real surprise for guests both in spring and in autumn when it displays its profound essence. It is a Mediterranean island full of colours, pinewoods, halm-oaks, chestnuts, agaves and Indian figs. It is a small piece of the world which has kept the old and a rich ,uncontaminated nature. A islands on a human scale which exploits in the right way the modern technologies without compromising its nature, its landscape, its sea, its coast, mountains and woods.
| Region | Tuscany |
|---|---|
| Zone | Elba Island |
| Area | Portoferraio, Campo nell'Elba, Capoliveri, Porto Azzurro, Marciana, Marciana Marina, Rio Marina, Rio nell'Elba |
| District | LI |
| Surface | 223 km² |
| Inhabitants | 33 660 |
| Hamlets | Portoferraio, Campo nell'Elba, Capoliveri, Porto Azzurro, Marciana, Marciana Marina, Rio Marina, Rio nell'Elba |
| GPS | 42°45′46″N 10°14′22″E |
Useful Number
| Emergency | Tel. 118 |
|---|---|
| Sea Emergency | Tel. 1530 |
| Emergency medical Service | Tel. 118 |
| Police | Tel. 113 |
| Carabinieri | Tel. 112 |
| Fire Fighters | Tel. 115 |
| Police | Tel. 113 |
