05. Culture

It’s very difficult to find a little place like Elba, that could boast an historical and cultural patrimony of the same wealth.
An history that starts with the Argonauts and Porto Argo (so was called Portoferraio in the mythological legends) continues with Etruscan, that at first exploited of the iron mines, for then leave it to the Romans.

After was Medici turn, which built on all the island powerful fortresses to defend it from the violent and bloody assaults of the terrible Saracen pirates, to arrive to the Napoleonic period, where despite his short exile, the French emperor left on the island an indelible stamp of his genius. All of this is still today alive on this extraordinary small plot of land in the middle of the sea.

Napoleonic Museums
In half a day of guided tour you can totally visit the summer residence of the emperor at S. Marino with the Demidoff Museum and his winter residence in the high part of the historical centre of Portoferraio, the Palazzina dei Mulini.
Romans excavations
A big Roman villa rests can be visited. The villa was placed on the promontory in front of Portoferraio with a breathtaking view between the first century before Christ and the first century after Christ.
Archaeological museums
At Portoferraio, Rio nell’Elba and Marciana Alta there are precious founds recovered from honorary ships sunk or in excavations made to the island that goes from the tenth century b. C. to the third century A. D. .
Medicean fortresses
That are imposing walls built in 1548 from Cosimo 1° Dé Medici to defend the city of Portoferraio.
Historical Centres
Many island villages have small, but precious historical centres with important evidences of their past.
Museum and Church of Misericordia
Napoleon antiques and History of one of the most interesting church of the island.
Mineral Museums
Let’ go knowing the big variety of minerals and semi precious stones of which the island subsoil is rich.
Old Mines
The most real aspect of the island, from which our history begins, we will take you to discover the old mineral villages, so fascinating in its diversity. You could see the old Public wash-houses of Rio nell’Elba.
Western Part
The granite coast, the fishermen villages, the most beautiful beaches, the Capanne Mount, the chestnuts woods and the old terrace-vineyards.