Marciana

Sheltered on the slopes of Mt. Capanne at 375 meters above sea level, Marciana is one of the oldest and largest municipalities on the island. It's also among the most interesting in terms of history and archeology thanks to the presence of the ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM with displays of archeological finds from pre-history through the Roman Ages.

With its narrow lanes and picturesque corners that open into strikingly panoramic piazzas, Marciana sprang up in the Roman Ages, but its population didnt grow until the Middle Ages. Later, it came under the control of the Appians whose residences are still visible and well preserved.

Inside the town, beyond the access door of medieval origins, you can visit the Pisan Fortress which was the principle home of the Appian princes with its foundry and mint where money was coined, the church of San Niccolo', the Casa Vada where Napoleons mother stayed during her sojourn at the Snctuary of the Madonna of the Mount, and the Romanesque church of San Lorenzo destroyed by the Turks in 1554.



PLACES OF NOTE: Procchio, Poggio, Pomonte, Chiessi, Patresi, La Zanca, SantAndrea



RECOMMENDED EXCURSIONS:

- Mt. Capanne (1019mt): six trails marked with sign posts and maps that join Marciana, Poggio, SantAndrea, Pomonte, Chiessi and, at the top of the mountain, Valle Nevera which can also be reached from Pozzatello in only 14 minutes by cable car, and from where you can enjoy a fantastic view which includes the entire Tuscan Archipelago, the Tuscan coast and Corsica.

- Mt. Perone (630mt): reachable by car

- Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Mount: the place where Napoleon met with his Polish friend Maria Walewska. It can be reached from the Pisan Fortress in less than a half an hour and only on foot by way of a lovely trail immersed in nature.

- Hermitage of San Cerbone: A delightful destination only 3 km from Marciana and reached from POGGIO. Cars are absolutely prohibited here where, immersed in a chestnut wood, the medieval structures and lanes are still well preserved. From Poggio on the outskirts of the cemetery, take the narrow country lane that leads to the prestigious hermitage in about 40 minutes.

- The Fountain of Napoleon: well known and used by the emperor.

- Napoleon's Chair: for a leap into Imperial history, take the road that borders the Punta della Zanca as far as the Lighthouse at Punta Polveraia. From here you can make ou a cliff that was named Napoleons Chair and from where, its said, Napoleon used to sit and reflect.

- Underwater visit of relics in Pomonte



Market Day: Thursday in Procchio