Island of Elba

L>Legend has it that the Tuscan Archipelago originated from a jewel drawn from the neck of Venus, goddess of beauty and love, fallen into the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In this gentle myth a part of truth is hidden, because there is no doubt that the islands of the Archipelago are as many fragments of paradise.

On the other hand, a few other tourist destinations in the world can boast an equally rich and varied offer in the space of a few kilometers: from the seabed, a true paradise for divers, to mountains surrounded by secular woods, beaches and coves framed by scrubland Mediterranean to the small hill villages immersed in a timeless quiet.

Each visitor can find their own dimension of the holiday, practicing their favorite sport, indulging in the ritual of tanning or going to the discovery of what the Tuscan Archipelago can offer in terms of history, culture and gastronomy.

SHORT INFORMATION ABOUT ELBA ISLAND

Just 10 km from the mainland, with an area of 224 square kilometers, Elba is the largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago and the third largest in the Italian islands. For some years it has been part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park together with Pianosa, Capraia, Montecristo, Giglio, Gorgona and Giannutri.

The climate is particularly mild with an annual temperature between 15° and 16°; the seasonal averages are 10° in winter, 14° in spring, 23° in summer and 17° in autumn. The monthly sea temperatures are: April 19°, May 20° .2, June 24° .1, July 26° .8, August 27° .3, September 25° .5 and October 23° .1.

Due to the variety of its coasts (which have a development of 147 Km.), The amenities of the beaches, the majestic beauty of the Monte Capanne group (1019 meters), has rightly become one of the world-famous tourist attraction centers.

The main road network (about 160 km) is completely paved. There are other scenic roads with macadam for about 80 Km.

Inhabited already in pre-historic times and known for its iron mines at the dawn of the Historical Age, Elba, called by the Ligurians "Ilva", from the Greeks "Aethalia", first Ligurian, then Greek, then Etruscan, remained for centuries Roman. In the Middle Ages the Pisans kept it and therefore the Appiani and the Medici. From time to time it interested the European powers who left many traces of their dominion.

Indelible signs impressed the Medici in Portoferraio (in honor of Cosimo dei Medici the city was called Cosmopoli) and the Spaniards, who built the fortress of S. Giacomo and Forte Focardo in Porto Azzurro.

The brief reign of Napoleon (1814-1815, 9 months and 23 days) left significant memories in the Palazzina dei Mulini, in the villa of S. Martino, in the ancient churches of Portoferraio, in Marciana Alta (Madonna del Monte) and in other places

From an administrative point of view, the Elbe is divided into eight Municipalities: Portoferraio, Campo nell'Elba, Capoliveri, Marciana, Marciana Marina, Porto Azzurro, Rio Marina and Rio nell'Elba.

Famous wines and excellent cuisine, combined with the pristine sea, mild climate and transparency of the air, make Elba a resort of care, stay and tourism ideal in all seasons.