Municipality of Capoliveri

The small town of Capoliveri is perched on a hill 167 metres above sea level, on the slopes of Monte Calmita. Once closely linked to agriculture and mining, it is now one of Elba's most distinctive and lively towns, rich in charm and history.

Characterised by highly distinctive architecture, the town still retains the appearance of a medieval village with its narrow, picturesque arched alleyways known as "chiassi", which conceal small craft workshops and welcoming venues where visitors can enjoy a traditional dish or a good glass of wine.

Interesting fact: several theories have always existed regarding the meaning of the name and the origins of the town. Caput Liberum, meaning "sacred to Liber", better known as Bacchus or Dionysus, may identify a place rich in vineyards and excellent wine; alternatively, and more plausibly, it may derive from the shape of the part of the island where Capoliveri stands: free, because it is surrounded by the sea.

During the Middle Ages, the town was fortified by the Pisans to defend it against repeated raids by bloodthirsty Saracen pirates: it was heavily attacked in 1544 by Khayr al-Din Barbarossa and in 1553 by Dragut.

The remains of the Church of San Michele bear witness to that period.

Other churches of particular historical importance can be found in the Capoliveri area: the Church of Madonna delle Grazie, near Morcone, and the Sanctuary of Madonna della Neve in Lacona.

The town is divided into four distinct districts: il Fosso, la Torre, la Fortezza and il Baluardo. Every year in October, during the traditional Grape Festival, they compete by staging extraordinary displays based on different grape harvest themes.

The Grape Festival is not the only major cultural event organised in Capoliveri: on 14 July, the Innamorata Festival is held, recalling the ancient legend of two young lovers, Lorenzo and Maria, while the Miner's Festival takes place during the first ten days of May in honour of the island's ancient mining heritage.

The entire coastline is particularly beautiful, characterised by a myriad of inlets and small bays surrounded by the unmistakable beauty and fragrance of Mediterranean vegetation. These include the small coves of Morcone, Pareti and Innamorata, once small fishing settlements and now renowned holiday resorts, as well as the peaceful beaches of Naregno, Madonna delle Grazie, Felciaio and Norsi, or the larger, busier and well-equipped beaches of Lacona, Lido and Margidore.

And in the evening... take the free bus into the town centre!

During summer evenings in Capoliveri, a free shuttle bus service operates from the car parks below the town (cemetery area, Naregno junction). Visitors can leave their cars in the large car parks beneath Capoliveri and travel up to the Town Hall. From there, the historic centre is just a few steps away. It is an excellent service and well worth using, as parking can be difficult for those arriving in Capoliveri after 9.00 pm.

Events: The patron saint of Capoliveri is the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption, celebrated on 15 August. San Rocco di Montpellier is also celebrated in Capoliveri on 16 August.
To discover the scheduled events, visit the website www.elbaeventi.it.