Five hundredth anniversary birth Cosimo l de' Medici in Elba

On the five hundredth anniversary of the birth of Cosimo l de' Medici, the Island of Elba makes preparations to celebrate this important moment. For the 2019 edition, year when also the 450th anniversary of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany was celebrated, the events concerning the celebration of "Le Vie dei Medici" (a project financed as a way of discovering and placing the correct value on the medici accomplishments, brought to life by the Region and in collaboration with Italia Nostra Toscana) will be particularly significant.

Cosimo l de' Medici was the second and last Duke of Florence, from 1537 to 1569, and when he was promoted from Duke of Florence to Grand Duke of Tuscany, he was the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, from 1569 until his death in 1574.

He was born in Florence on June 12th 1519 his father was Giovanni, known also as "Bande Nere", a descendant of the Medici family, and his mother, Maria Salviati was a direct descendant on her mother's side of the same family and also niece of Leone X. 

When his ancestor Alessandro de' Medici died, murdered by his cousin Lorenzino, Cosimo inherited the title of duke of Florence at the tender age of 17, despite his not being a direct descendant of the family. He quickly gained more and more political importance and in no time proved to have a passion for politics as well as a keen desire to expand to the point that the name Grand Duchy of Tuscany acquired the title of State - what today we know as Region - starting from diplomatic contacts and moving on to having palaces and fortresses built.

Cosimo l de' Medici has left ever lasting traces all over Tuscany, above all on the Island of Elba where he built Cosmopoli: one of the most magnificent and important fortress-cities in the Mediterranean.

The five hundredth anniversary of his birth is therefore a very important event for the Island of Elba so it will be celebrated with walks along the historical city, concerts, art exhibitions, congresses and historical re-makes so you can follow the steps taken in the creation of Cosmopoli.

Calendar of the special events on the Island of Elba

April 28th at 16.30 - De Laugier Cloister
Placing of commemmorative marble (gift of the Institute of the Knights of Santo Stefano).

May 2nd and 3rd at 10.00 - Old part of Portoferraio
Guided historical walk with Giuseppe M. Battaglini with the students from the High Schools.

May 11th at 17.00 - English Fort
Guided tour of the Firing Line (Battaglini).

May 13th at 10.00 - Medicean Fortress
Guided historical walk with Elisabetta Coltelli at "Firing line in the direction of the land and secret passages".

May 15th at 18.00 - Linguella Tower
Opening of exhibition Cosmopoli: the ideal city, with paintings by Marcello D'Arco and Luigi Lunghi (in collaboration with the Counsellor of culture Persephone and Francesca Groppelli). The exhibition will last until July 15th.

May 18th at 18.00 - De Laugier Cloister
Opening of exhibition Civitas Cosimi. From documents in the archives to photographs, you will see many historical areas in the town, like the dome in Portoferraio and Forte Falcone, just like a television set with ordinary people who play the part of professional actors and wear the clothes of the time; this exhibition with photographs is lit up at night by candle light and torches. Photographs by Roberto Ridi in association with the Historias  Association The exhibition is open until September 30th.

May 18th at 21.15 . Church of Mercy
O begli anni dell'Oro, Renaissance music concert with vintage instruments, in association with the Suoni di un'isola.

June 12th at 19.30 and 21.30 - Medicean Fortress
The work of Cosimo. The effigy of the Duke and the foundation of Cosmopoli.Education and learning exhibition inside the Medicean Fortress of Cosmopolis.

June 29th 2019 at 16.30 - From Grigolo to Villa dei Mulini
Unusual routes along the Medicean Ramparts of Cosmopolis-Portoferraio, the city founded by Cosimo l de' Medici. Excursion along the Medicean Ramparts overlooking a breathtaking panorama of the sea.

July 26th 2019 at 18.30 - Le Grotte Roman Villa
The development of the scenery of the Docks in Portoferraio over the centuries, from the time when the Fabricia Romans settled there to the plans and actual building of the fortified city thanks to Cosimo l de' Medici. at 18.30 Conference at the Le Grotte Roman Villa.

July 28th 2019 at 21.30 - Public Library in Marciana Marina
Opening exhibition Elba terra piombinese e fiorentina: cultural-historical routes at the time of Cosimo l

September 2019 - Portoferraio
Sailing regatta in the Harbour in Portoferraio (Cosmopolis) and Conference on seamanship in the days of Cosimo l.

Calendar special events in Tuscany "Le Vie dei Medici" »

Suggestion from Infoelba: For further information and details on the special events programmed for the V hundredth anniversary Celebrations of the birth of Cosimo l de' Medici please visit the elbaeventi.it web site