Elba & Capraia Guide Italy

Legend Has It That Tuscan Archipelago HAD ITS origins When a necklace slid from the neck of Venus, the Goddess of beauty and love, and fell into the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea This delightful story surely Holds a gain of truth, for there is no Our doubt in mind That That islands of the Archipelago are truly fragments of paradise. Few other tourist resorts in the world can boast Such rich and Varied scenery Within Such a small area: the underwater terrain is the delight of scuba divers, are Circled by mountains Centuries-old forests, beaches and inlets are set against typical Mediterranean vegetation, and small hill towns nestle in a timeless tranquility. There is something to suit Every visitor Whether it is Practising Their favorite sport, exploring the discovery of Archipelago in ITS history, culture and gastronomy or Simply enjoying the sunshine and the sea. The islands Have an ancient tradition of hospitality. Every holiday season, we are pleased to offer this Our hospitality to visitors. We are quite sure That Their first stay will not be Their last. Sea, and history as forming the Influences Have Been on the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago; They are akin to a single large casket containing all the elements for an unforgettable holiday. In this site you will find Testimony to the richness of the islands' tourist attractions, so close to home yet so far away from everyday places. Each race of people That Occupied the Archipelago In Its long history left ITS traces: in the mines and caves of Elba, in constructions like the magnificent watchtowers of Capraia or Elba's Romanesque churches, in the shallows of the islands WHERE Exceptional archaeological relics Have lain untouched for centuries. Sitting down to means-table re-discovering the authentic flavors of a simple and wholesome cuisine. Many of the recipes Were Brought to the islands by seafares Who Came from Tuscany, Liguria and Campania. In fact, the islands' cuisine combines the best of mainland These Traditions. The Tuscan Archipelago ITS own Produces red, white and rosé wines. These are of fine quality and are Widely available locally. The wines Have good body and a distinctive bouquet - a product of sunshiney, salty sea air, and strong, fertile soil. The combination of good food and wine is Certainly an excellent way to enjoy life. 

Elba Island

Elba has a typical coastal climate, rendered mild by the sea air even in winter. Rainfall is rare on the whole, Especially in the summer. In the warm season the temperature of the sea stays around 20 degrees as late as October. Elba offers the authentic flavors of a simple tasty cuisine But Which Consists in fish dishes, vegetables and sweets, Which Have Made using recipes taken from the best Tuscan, Ligurian and Campanian Traditions, Brought to the island by seagoing These people. In the Island, there are Various opportunities for leisure and cultural enrichment, thanks to historical events, sporting events, concerts and village fairs, During Which The Old Traditions are renewed in order to Attract Both tourists and locals. National and International Sailing Regatas find in Elba on ideal competition field (360 ° winds) and These Are Organized all year round. During spring Elba's minerals Become The stars of "The Earth's Treasures", an important market with fair-exposers from all around the world. Merely for enthusiasts and the curious there is the Historic Rally, with classic cars parading on the roads of Elba. The "Island of Elba-Raphael Brignetti" Literary Prize Is Another important cultural event. A small literary prize with That big tradition and prestige, along ITS history, has Revealed Some Great authors of international relevance. But These Are A Few of events of the season and The Councils Elba, That lies in offering quality events, Organise many more. Portoferraio is the capital and main port of the island of Elba. It is Situated along the north-eastern coast on a promontory That delimits the northern side of the bay. Portoferraio is one of the oldest towns of the islands. Before Becoming a Roman colony, with the name of Fabricia, the town Was Inhabited by Ligurians, Etruscans and Greeks. The remains of a Roman villa of the imperial age can be viewed at A Few Kilometres from Portoferraio, in the direction of Bagnaia, in the district Called Caves. Were the remains covered by bushes until 1960, When Some excavations Brought back to light a large complex with walls in "opus reticulatum", large terraces Overlooking the sea and a swimming pool with a water purification and heating system. Portoferraio, as it looks today, Was Built According To The Will of Cosimo I de Medici who Extensive fortification works started in 1548, renaming it after Cosmopolis. In 1814 it played host to the exiled Napoleon Bonaparte. On May 3rd, 1814, Napoleon landed at Portoferraio to take possession of the small reign of return assigned to Him In His abdication, According To The Treaty of Fontainebleau. Napoleon resided on the island for only 10 months, leaving behind Significant Evidences Of His short stay, though Most Of Them Were created by the imagination of the people of the island. The tangible signs of this presence are represented by the Mills house and Villa San Martino. The former, given this name to remind of the presence of four water mills, Was the town residence of the Emperor, it is located in. The Highest part of Portoferraio, Between Star Fort and Fort Falcone. Villa San Martino, at 6 km from Portoferraio along the road to Marciana, Was His summer residence and the present-day location of the gallery Demidoff. Other memories are preserved in the church of the Reverend Mercy at Portoferraio. Other historical sites are the Romanesque church of S. Stefano alle Trane, the Altura Etruscan fortress of Castiglione, the International Art Centre of Italo Bolano, Foresiana the Art Gallery and the Botanical Gardens of Brass. Following the road Coasts That the bay of Portoferraio, we find the Thermal Baths of San Giovanni, That covers an area about five hectares of marine MUDs rich in iodine and sulfur. Originally this area, where, the sea is shallow, Was the location of salt marshes. Now it is the seat of a modern and fully equipped spa. Treatments with sodium chloride, bromide and iodide are ideal to cure skin diseases and to rejuvenate it, and for arthropathologies for respiratory diseases. The Municipality of Portoferraio Also Comprises the districts of S. John Schiopparello, Warehouses, Brass, Carpani, Bagnaia, S. Martino, Biodola, and Viticcio island of Montecristo. Portoferraio boasts Several beaches: To the east: Bagnaia (sand and pebble), Stores (pebble), Brass (sand and pebble), Schiopparello (pebble). To the west: Acquaviva (pebble), the Biodola (sand), Cape White (Pebble) Enfola (sand with pebbles), Oven (sand), the Gravel (ovoid pebble), Padulella (pebble), Scaglieri (sand) Seccione (pebble), Views (sand and pebble), Viticcio (sand and pebble). The Inhabitants of Portoferraio Have Chosen as symbol of Their community of the ship Argos Thus Clearly linking the town of Their Origins to the myth of the Argonauts who landed on the Beach of Gravel, According To The Most Credited historians of Elba. Mythology and Legend Often Have Proved to be very though Partially Closely bound to reality. Hundred years before the War of Troy, the Argonauts, 54 Greek heroes, Hercules Including, leaded by Jason, the son of the deposed king, left for Colchis in search of the legendary Ram, Whose Golden Fleece Would Have allowed the claimant to the throne to Regain possession of His kingdom. The enterprise Appeared to be very Difficult Was Because The sacred animal protected by a fierce dragon and by furious bulls. Even the journey and Perils Was full of unexpected occurrences. According To The Legend, Their ship founds Itself in front of the beach of Gravel, Where the Greeks landed Themselves and refreshed, after a storm. The village of Porto Azzurro Was given this name in 1947, When It Was Authorized to change the old name of Porto Longone That reminded too much of the prison Situated inside the Fortress of Longone. The town Overlooks the Gulf of Mola, one of the largest inlets of the eastern coast of Elba, with a sheltered port That is the berth of boats, ferries and pleasure boats. Today, this village of fishermen and workers is a country famous sea-side resort. At about 1 kilometer from Porto Azzurro tourists can visit the Miniature Mine, a miniature reconstruction of a mine and of ITS Activities. But Also there are other historical and cultural sites, like the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat and the Spanish Church Immaculate Heart of Mary. Barbarossa and Mola are the main districts administered by the town. Mount Magnet is Situated at 413 meters above sea level on the peninsula with the Same name, in the south east of the island. The Abundant magnetite ores of the popular legends explain the Shipwrecks That Claimed That Were Caused by the mineral That Attracted the metal parts of ships, inevitably pushing Them Against the cliffs of Punta Calamita. It is a fact of Compasses That the needle is severely affected in this area. 

Capraia

The island of Capraia is part of the Tuscan Archipelago. Its whole Territory, with the only exception of the village and the area That Was formerly part of the penal colony, has now Been comprised in the National Park. It is Situated at 65 Km from Livorno, the Municipality That it administers, at 55 Km from Piombino and at 31 Km from Cap Corse (Corsica). It covers an area of ​​square Kilometres 19:26 and is, for size, the third island of the Tuscan Archipelago. It Can Be Reached from Livorno (two and a half hours) and is connected by regular daily ferries. This island of volcanic origins emerged in the Tertiary Age. It has no level ground, But has a wild nature, it is Divided by a mountain chain That raises up to 447 meters with Mount Castle and has steep and indented with Coasts Several grottoes. The village of Capraia stands on a promontory That Overlooks the harbor bay. It has typical Mediterranean Characteristics and low with small white houses. The most important tourist attraction of the island of Capraia Called Lagoon is the small lake at 321 meters of altitude. This is a natural basin of fresh water That covers an area of ​​5.000 square meters with a depth below one meter. For many years, people Believed That this large lake covered the crater of an extinct volcano. The Climatic Conditions Particularly mild allow the island to be visited all the year round. Motorised vehicles are not allowed to circulate in summer, though there is a regular public bus service connecting the port and the village. The local co-operative "Parco Naturale Isola di Capraia" organises boat trips and farm holidays. The seafaring Greeks Were the first to land there and Gave the name of the island Aegylon, the land of goats. The Phoenicians, Etruscans and Romans Appeared there in subsequent eras, creating the first human settlements. The historic remains from Collected These settlements are in the Tower in the Port of Capraia. After the fall of the Roman empire, the island Was left deserted, Especially as a result of the invasions by pirates. And so, in the Early Centuries of Christianity, it Became place Chosen by Hermits and anchorites. It Was Conquered successively by Saracens, Pisans and Genoese, who built in the sixteenth century, at a sheer height above the sea, the Fort St. George. In 1873, a third of the surface of the island Was used as an Agricultural penal colony and made out of bounds to the rest of the population. The colony was closed down in September 1986 Thus opening up the Entire surface. Other places of historic and cultural interest are the church of the Assumption, the church of St.Nicola and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the church and convent of St.Antoni, St.Stefano the church of the Plain, and the Tower of Zenobito the Tower of the pan. Torre del Porto is Placed at the entrance of the island of Capraia, this construction is built on a circular base. It Was built by the Genoese in 1516 for defense and as a look-out post for Turkish pirates and is still well preserved. There are no "beaches" Such as on the island of Capraia: there is only one small beach to be found along the rocky coast and wonderfully Among the small rocky bays. This is Cala Mortola Which Can Be Reached only by sea. For Those Who Wish to go there are two agencies That Provided for boat-taxi service. Other accessible points for bathing are right below the castle, below the port tower and below the lighthouse. Also you can swim from the two piers in the port, where, the water is very clean, And Also in the bay of Cala dello Zurletti. The Natural Park of Archipelago theTuscan Was Following a presidential decree set up in 1996 and it includes Almost the whole of Capraia. It is to be Noted That apart from the stretch of Punta Between Old Port and Punta della Fica, speargun fishing is not allowed; Between Punta del Trattoio and Punta del Manzo transitting Both are Prohibited and landing, since it is a totally protected area and is to be repopulated with wildlife. The Same is true for the section of pathway Between the traffic light and the Tower of Zenobito. (Part of the Contents and Photos are gently given by the Tourist Board of the Tuscan Archipelago)