The Commune of Rio nell'Elba

Rio Elba is one of the island's most ancient villages with origins dating back to the Bronze Age, and it preserves many traces of its past.

It is documented from 1260 as Comune Rivi. The toponym comes from the Latin rivus (stream) for the watercourse that flows near the village, which powered numerous watermills.

Perched on a hill 180 meters above sea level, the village is characterized by a typical medieval urban layout, with narrow alleys and staircases that lead to picturesque squares.

Like the other villages on the eastern side, it belongs to the mining tradition that dates back to the Etruscan era and made it the mining center of the island until the closure of the mines.

Curiosity: The last iron mine on the island was closed in October 1981.

A wide variety of minerals is displayed in the local Civic Archaeological Museum of the Mining District of Rio nell'Elba. The museum is located in the historic center of Rio nell'Elba and hosts more than 700 pieces, coming from different parts of the island.

Interesting sites include the old Public Washhouses with brass spouts, the Valley of Mills, where there were 22 functioning mills powered by the Canali spring, and the Church of Souls, where a group of volunteers recently restored a mechanical nativity scene, recreating Rio of past centuries, with its mining-related activities.

In the Canali area, there is also the House of the Park of Rio nell'Elba.

Other places of historical and cultural interest include the Parish Church of SS. James and Quiricus, built in the 11th century, repeatedly destroyed by pirates and rebuilt. Today, it has a Renaissance-style exterior, while the interior is Baroque.

Here, some valuable paintings are on display, but the most important artwork is attributed to Giovanni di San Giovanni Valdarno (1592/1636) and depicts the mystical marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

Leaving the Church of SS. James and Quiricus on the right, at the end of the street is the Church of Piety from the 16th century.

Rio Elba also has the Garibaldi Theatre, a small theater recently renovated, where the main cultural activities take place.

Near the ancient "Grassera," a medieval village destroyed by Turkish pirates in the 1500s, along the road leading to Nisporto and Nisportino, are the Elban Herb Garden, which preserves a variety of Elban plants, and the Eremo di Santa Caterina, a small 16th-century sanctuary.

Curiosity: On Easter Monday, the day that celebrates the saint’s appearance, it is customary to eat dried figs as a sign of devotion.

Particularly fascinating and mysterious is the Castle of Monte Giove, located along the road leading to Cavo, and the Castle of Volterraio, the only one never conquered by Saracen pirates, located at the top of Mount Volterraio, along the route that leads to Portoferraio.

Events: The patron saint of Rio nell'Elba is Saint James. Every year on July 25, events and celebrations are organized.
To find out more, visit the website www.elbaeventi.it.