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Elba island
di pietra di sole di vento,
di mare di odori di tempo
è fatta un'isola
The Island of Elba, with its 256 sq km and 118 km of coastline, is the third largest Italian island.
It is only 9 km from the coast (Piombino promontory).
Elba is part of the Tuscan archipelago together with the island of Giglio, Giannutri, Montecristo, Pianosa, Capraia and Gorgona and of these it is also the most populous with over 32,000 inhabitants.
"Legend has it that Venus emerged from the sea losing her precious pearl necklace and that seven of these came back to the surface forming the beautiful islands of the Tuscan archipelago."
The island is divided into 7 municipalities, Portoferraio, Capoliveri, Porto Azzurro, Rio Marina,
Marciana Marina, Marciana and Campo nell'Elba.
Morphologically, Elba is divided into three parts, the granite massif of Monte Capanne to the west,
which was also the first to emerge from the sea, followed to the east from the second "Pluto" of Monte Calamita,
rich in metalliferous veins; Lthe central part is instead more flat and hilly with a mixed soil
sedimentary rocks formed at the bottom of the sea.
The island is full of itineraries that will surprise you with their variety. Paths that will lead you to the top of the mountain peaks with breathtaking views; you will be immersed in the scents of the Mediterranean scrub
and in the more wooded ones of the western part.
TO VISIT
Portoferraio capital of the Island of Elba
In legend it is said that it was here that the Argonauts landed, sailing the Mediterranean in search of the Golden Fleece, where the port of Argon was founded, so named after the name of their ship.
Once they reached the shore, the Argonauts dried their sweat using the white pebbles on the Ghiaie beach,
leaving them forever marked by black-blue spots.
In history, however, Portoferraio was founded by the Romans with the name of Fabricia, on a pre-existing Etruscan settlement.
The historic center is a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys. Worth a visit is the Cathedral of Portoferraio, whose first nucleus dates back to 1549,
the church of SS Sacramento (1551) with its ancient wooden crucifix and the church of Misericordia with the funeral mask
of Napoleon. The Town Hall, once the seat of a biscuit factory (biscuits for navigators), hence the name of Palazzo della Biscotteria.
Villa romana delle Grotte
One of the most important archaeological remains of the Roman era in the Tuscan archipelago, a large noble residence built in Augustan period (1st century BC). The position dominates the bay of Portoferraio, with a beautiful view of the gulf,
this recurring feature in all the villas of the archipelago.
Very close to Portoferraio, the Ghiaie beach is one of the most popular beaches for the beauty of its seabed and the white pebbles
smoothed by the sea. Next we find the beach of Cala dei Frati, Padulella, Capo Bianco, Sottobomba, Sorgente and Sansone.
The stretch of sea in front of the Ghiaie beach up to Capo Bianco has been a biological protection area since 1971.
Elba Golf Club Acquabona
The Acquabona Golf Club is a very panoramic hilly course about halfway between Portoferraio and Porto Azzurro,
near the crossroads of Lacona, in the magnificent natural environment that the Island of Elba offers to its visitors.
The course consists of 9 holes with double tees and measures 5144 metres.
Centro Mediceo of Portoferraio
Arriving by ship in the harbor of Portoferraio, one is struck by the majesty of its walls, these are the Medici Bastions wanted by the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo I as a defense against Turkish attacks.
The first to be built were Forte Falcone, Forte Stella and Torre della Linguella.
Forte Falcone has been renovated in recent times both inside and out, and can be completely visited.
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South coast
The beach of Marina di Campo, the longest, with its 1400 meters of golden sand, followed by Lacona, with much finer sand, qThese two shores are separated by the rocky promontory of Fonza. Moving towards Capoliveri, we also find the large Golfo Stella
with its numerous beaches such as Margidore, Acquarilli (FKK), Norsi, Felciaio, Lido, Morcone, Innamorata...
We then find all the coves along the rocky coast of Mount Calamita (Cannello beach, Ventrangoli, Remaiolo, Ginepro, Stagnone, Buzzancone, Calanova, Ferrato), up to the limits with Porto Azzurro where the beaches become more sandy (Straccoligno and Naregno ).
In the area of Porto Azzurro we remember the beach of Barbarossa and Reale, up to that of Terranera
which has behind it a small lake (Laghetto di Terranera).
A nice excursion deserves the Capoliveri mine museum and the Ginevro gallery.
East Coast
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The eastern coast from Rio Marina to Cavo is characterized by reddish cliffs and coves due to the conformation of the ferrous soil. In Rio Marina there are still abandoned mines that are part of the mining park.
Do not forget a visit to the red lake of the basins. Among the beaches that are included in this side there are:
Ortano, Luisi D'Angelo, Portello, Malpasso, Ripa Bianca, Topinetti, Cala Seregola, Punta del Fiammingo, Cala delle Alghe e Frugal.
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West coast
Starting from the splendid village of Marciana Marina we go up towards Poggio and Marciana (330 and 375 m asl), then we go down towards the village of Sant'Andrea with its smooth granite where the real coast of Ponente originated from the steep slopes of Monte Capanne,
which with its 1019 mt. it is the highest mountain in the Tuscan archipelago.
In Marciana there is a ski lift which takes you to the summit of Mount Capanne in just 18 minutes and which on clear days offers a priceless view. At the Poggio, on the other hand, there is the Fonte di Napoleone which is an immersed source of oligomineral water
in the chestnut woods that characterize the area. Not to be missed by touring the western ring, the villages of Chiessi and Pomonte.
The coast, as well as granite coves is also characterized by sandy beaches such as the Gulf of Fetovaia
and the beaches of Seccheto and Cavoli where the blue grotto is not far away.
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