Realistically, it’s difficult to find a place as small as Elba that boasts an historical and cultural heritage of equivelant wealth.

The history of Elba begins at Porto Argo (the original name for Portoferraio in mythological legends) and continues to the era of the Etruscans whom exploited the island for her wealth of iron only to be expelled by the Romans.

Later, Elba was again overtaken, this time by the Medici who intern where obligated to build huge forts around the island in a bid to defend their land from the bloody assults of the terrible saracen pirates.

The next important event to mark the history of the island was the exilation of the great French emperor, Napoleon, on Elba. Dispite being only a brief stay, Napoleon’s mark was left and can still be found, on Elba today.

Evidence of Elba’s facinating history continues to live in present day and undoubtedly contributes in making this island such an extraordinary place.