The granite from Elba

Elba is rich in a material widely used as both construction and ornamental stone: granite.

The processing of granite dates back to Roman times, as evidenced by the numerous works scattered across Italy's most important cities. Vasari reminds us that 7 of the colossal columns of the Pantheon, each 12 meters tall and 1.5 meters in diameter, are made of granite from Seccheto. The same material was used for many columns of the Pisa Cathedral, brought by the Pisans who, in the 11th century, owned Elba and worked the quarries; three other columns of the same origin adorn the Baptistery of Pisa, while others can be found in the church of S. Michele in Borgo and still others in the church of S. Frediano.

There is also the testimony of a German scholar (J. Noggerath - Archiv. fur Mineralogie, Berlin 1844) who states that 18 large columns of Elban granite are located in the cathedral of Aachen; it is said that they were brought to Cologne by Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, and later transferred from Cologne to Aachen by Charlemagne.

This craftsmanship is still active on the island, thanks to small cooperatives of skilled stonemasons located in the San Piero and Seccheto areas, as the granite comes from the "rounded" area of the island, on the western side, namely from the granitic massif of Monte Capanne.