Portoferraio

Portoferraio is situated on a spur of rock and surrounded by the Medicean Fortress that overlooks the town. With its “natural” and principal port,it is singled out as the capitol of the island and seat of most offices and public services. The center of principle communication, thanks to its numerous daily connections with Piombino, there are great numbers of tourists disembark here in search of a memorable vacation. Portoferraio was the center of the iron and steel industry in recent past, but the industry was dismantled following bombings during WWII and the town didn’t develop a great propensity for tourism, and for this reason, it has remained almost untouched by time. The town offers a lovely place to visit thanks to a well-preserved historical center with little streets behind the port, the Piazza Cavour and Piazza della Republica, all the characteristic old buildings with flowering balconies,the narrow alleyways,and the panoramic squares that lead up to the Medicean fortifications.

The Medicean city still holds tight to the memories from 1548 when the town was christened Cosmopoli in honor of CosimoI de’Medici, who rebuilt and fortified the city after it was razed by the Saracens.

Forte Falcone, Forte Stella and the Torre della Linguella were built from the plans of architects Camerini and Belluzzi, and thanks to them and the imposing wall, peace and safety returned to the citizens.
The other historical aspect of Portoferraio is one bound to the presence of the emperor

Napoleon Bonaparte who stayed here from 3 May 1814 to 26 February 1815, who left many important testimonies (180,000 in the world).

During his “299” day stay, he had to content himself with a 8000 hectare training camp where he built his residence, “Villa Dei Mulini”, today a national monument situated at the summit of Portoferraio in a panoramic position between the forts Stella e Falcone.

From here, one can take in a breathtaking view that includes the northwest coast and the coast of Tuscany.

A magnificent building that symbolizes the public life of Napoleon, it takes it name from the mills in the area, and preserves some interesting artifacts including: the flag of the islandwith the three gold bees, the key to the city given by Mayor Traditi to the emperor and the incredibly well equipped library with over 1000 volumes furnished by Fountainblue.

Villa S. Martino ( with Museum Demidoff) was Napoleon’s country residence located at the foot of the mountain by the same name, and less than 6 km from the center of town. From the inside one can view Napoleon’s bedroom decorated with the golden bees and stars from the legion of honor, the Egyptian room adorned with frescoes by Pittor Ravelli that illustrates the enterprising undertakings of the young emperor.

After the death of Napoleon, Prince Anatolio Demidoff built an annex to the villa as amuseum to house the memorabilia of the emperor.



OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST:

PALAZZO COMMUNALE (City Hall) was once a bakery where bread was baked for the Medicean stronghold, and now houses the Foresiana Library. The library was instituted after a donation by Napoleon in 1815 after which followed donations by Mario Foresi, Giorgio Roster, and Alberto Reiter.

THE CHURCH OF THE MISERICORDIA houses important Napoleonic records like the funeral mask recovered by Napoleon’s personal doctor at Sant’Elena. Every 5 May the church celebrates a mass in memory of the “king” of the island.

IL TEATRO DEI VIGILANTI , once the Church of Carmine, was built by the governor Orazio

Borboni di Sorbello in 1611. Later enlarged by Cosimo III, it was decorated by Napoleon with gold, velvet and damask friezes as a gift for his sister Paolina and donated to the town a theater worthy of his name.

PINACOTECA FORESIANA, now a cultural conference center, houses paintings and furniture from the 1600’s to the 1900’s from the collection of Mario Foresi.

MUSEO CIVICO ARCHEOGICO DELLA LINGUELLA houses archeological finds from the 5th century B.C. unearthed in the area of Elba and Capraia.

VILLA ROMANA DELLA GROTTA is an ancient parician residence dated between the 1st century B.C. and the 1st century A.D. that rises up from a panoramic promontory from which one can view the entire town of Portoferraio. Visible amongst the ruins is the the reticulated work of the old walls, service rooms and a pool with a tepidarium.

GIARDINI DELL’OTTONE are beautiful botanical gardens, unique in Tuscany, that conserves
many rare palms and centuries-old trees facing extinction.

THERME DI SAN GIOVANNI are thermal baths where on can go to combine the relaxation of a marine vacation with the healing properties of a thermal bath. A true healing touch thanks to the treatments offered, including: mud and sea water ( high in sodium chlorides) baths
good for arthritis and rheumatism sufferers, inhalations for pharyngitises, bronchitis,
sinusitis etc., a Health Week for antistress,skincare,weight loss,arthritis,acne and proraisis,anti-smog lung oxygenation *,
Seaweed therapy for treatment during the convalescence after injury or trauma to the joints.


PRINCIPAL BEACHES: La Biodola, Scaglieri, Il Forno, Sansone, Enfola Il Viticcio, L’acquaviva,Seccione, Capo Bianco, LA Paduella, Cala dei Viticcio, La Ghaiae, Le Viste, Il Gigolo, San. Giovanni, Schiopparello, Magazzini, Ottone


Market Day: Friday


Isola d'Elba Traghetti