The Commune of Marciana

Leaving behind the heat of the beaches, you ascend towards the slopes of the mountains in search of tranquility and a bit of coolness. Located on a hill at an altitude of 375 meters above the sea, Marciana is one of the oldest towns, rich in historical and archaeological evidence, with its origins dating back to 35 BC.

Under the dominion of the Appiani, who chose it as their residence, it experienced significant development starting with the construction of the fortress, the most protected fortress on the island, used by the population as a refuge during pirate raids. The entire town still retains that medieval imprint of the past, from the access gates to the narrow, stepped streets adorned with plants and flowers that the people of Marciana cultivate on their balconies.

Of particular interest is the Archaeological Museum, which is rich in important prehistoric and protohistoric finds from the Island of Elba. Also of great interest are the numerous discoveries dating back to the Etruscan and Roman periods.

Not far from the town is the departure point for the cable car, which in just a few minutes reaches the highest peak of Elba, over one thousand meters above sea level: Mount Capanne.

Trekking enthusiasts can reach the [page id="398"]San Cerbone hermitage, located at an altitude of 530 meters, where the saint took refuge in 572, and from here continue to reach the summit of Mount Capanne (1019 meters above sea level).

Another very scenic route starts near the fortress. The path lined with the chapels of the Stations of the Cross, through centuries-old chestnut forests, leads to the Sanctuary of Madonna del Monte, which is located on the northern slope of Mount Giove at 627 meters above sea level. A place of worship since the 1300s, the sanctuary was built in 1595 and, after several renovations, assumed its current form in 1799.

In no time, from Marciana, you can also reach the district of Poggio. Here, time seems to have stood still: between the alleys, the cobbled streets, and the flower-filled balconies, life flows slowly, marked by the ringing of the church bells.

Not far from there, nestled in chestnut and oak forests, flows the renowned Napoleon's oligomineral spring. Other important centers in the Marciana municipality include the appreciated beach resorts of Procchio, Sant'Andrea, Chiessi, and Pomonte.

Events: Every year, the Palio of Sant'Agabito (the patron saint of the medieval village) is organized in Marciana. Tradition says that Donna Paola (after whom the Porta Donna Paola is named) created this holiday on August 18th in memory of her deceased father.
The Autumn Festival of Marciana is a culinary event held every October, where you can taste traditional chestnut-based dishes.
Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, celebrated on November 25th, is the patron saint of Marciana.
The evocative living nativity scene in Marciana is an Elban tradition where you can experience the true magic of Christmas.
To find the scheduled events, visit the website www.elbaeventi.it.