Interesting facts about the Island of Elba and the Tuscan Archipeòago

Many historical, naturalistic and geographical interesting facts

Elba, oasis of orchids

The Calamita promontory in Capoliveri, above all in the south-western part, is the perfect place for many different species of wild orchids.

Lacona Lily

On the island of Elba it grows only on the beach in Lacona , where you can find the last existing dunes in the Tuscan Archipelago

Granite goat stalls in Elba

The western side of the Island of Elba is rich in traces of sheep and goat farming that go as far back as the ancient past: the granite goat stalls.

Entrance and exit from the port of Portoferraio

One aspect makes the port of Portoferraio different from all the other Italian ports: while some leave it, others arrive!

Napoleon spring

The very famous Napoleon's spring, is very near Poggio, and the water has healing power

Straccoligno nesting in Straccoligno

Summer 2018: with the new nest in Straccoligno, Elba once again shows it is the Caretta caretta's "new nursery"

Fonte di Coppi

The natural springs, dedicated to the champion Fausto Coppi, is today a legendary place to stop for all cycling lovers

The Municipality of Rio

On January 1st 2018, the single Municipality of Rio, born from the union of the two separate Municipalities of Rio Marina and Rio nell'Elba, became official.

Marina di Campo nesting 2017

Summer 2017: the name Federica was given to the Caretta caretta turtle, her record nesting on Marina di Campo beach

Swim from Piombino to the Island of Elba

On Sunday 6th August 2017 Gregorio Paltrinieri was protagonist in an adrenaline filled event: he swam from Piombino to the Island of Elba (10 km)

Sea balls

Leaves of oceanic posidonia that the waves have bound together, forming the typical brown coloured balls that have a felt-like touch

Bread with birds made in San Piero

This bread is shaped using a metal cutter and is traditional, Elba cuisine. Tasty and fragrant, it is decorated with birds, doves or other Easter symbols.

The smallest in Tuscany

Marciana Marina is the smallest Municipality in Tuscany

Protected biology area of Lo Scoglietto

The stretch of sea between Punta Falcone and Capo Bianco, opposite Ghiaie beach, has been a protected biology area since 1971.

Audouin's Gull

The rarest species of seagull in the world: Audouin's gull, the symbol of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.

Saffron from the Island of Elba

Crocus Ilvensis, a new species of saffron that grows only on the Island of Elba.

The BarLume crimes

"The Barlume crimes", a production adapted from Marco Malvadi's books, has now been made into a tv series.

The Martello Tower

The Passannante Tower, or Martello Tower, or Linguella Tower, in Portoferraio, a clear example of military architecture to protect Portoferraio and its port.

The granite from Elba

The granite from Elba has even been used in historical buildings and monuments, like the Pantheon and the Cathedral in Pisa.

Swimming and sailing rules and regulations

Information concerning swimming and sailing rules and regulations, as stipulated by the Harbour Office

The area of the Island of Elba

Some information to help you realise the size of the Island of Elba, often considered very small.

Islands with the same name!

Pianosa and Capraia, aren't just the names of two islands in the Tuscan Archipelago, but also the names of two islands in the Tremiti Archipelago, in Puglia.

The Argonauts and the Island of Elba

Legend has it that the Argonauts landed on one of the islands called Aethalia in the Tyrrhenian Sea , that is, the Island of Elba.

Posidonia...not seaweed!

Mediterranean Tapeweed is a marine plant that grows in unpolluted seas. The sea around the Island of Elba is rich in meadows of this plant.

Ferry ticket from Piombino to Cavo at only 29 euros

Moby Lines Shipping Company enables you to cross over to Elba for only 29 euros, cost for one car plus one passenger.

Highest peaks in the seven islands

A little information about the mountains and hills in the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. The highest peak is Monte Capanne on the island of Elba.

Size of each of the seven islands

A little information about the size of each of the seven islands in the Tuscan Archipelago.

Amerigo Vespucci training ship

The Amerigo Vespucci is often in the Gulf of Portoferraio. It is a full rigged ship, used in training Officers.

Aleatico from Elba

The unique and famous DOCG wine from Elba that isn't easy to produce, perfect with desserts and chocolate.

The Castle of Volterraio

The Castle of Volterraio was built round about the year 1000, on top of what remained of an Etruscan fortification that pirates never succeeded in entering.

Napoleon's residences in Elba

The Villa dei Mulini and the Villa in San Martino are the two residences Napoleon Bonaparte had built while he was exiled on the Island of Elba.

European Shag

The European Shag is a marine bird very similar to the Cormorant, whose number has greatly inceased all over Elba in recent years.

Herring gull

The Herring gull is part of the fauna in the Tuscan Archipelago, with a stable, average number of about 15-16.000 pairs.

Strawberry trees

Strawberry trees grow in the Mediterranean bush, and can be found both in Elba and in the other islands of the Archipelago.

The seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago

There are seven islands in the Tuscan Archipelago in the Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenan Sea

Population of the Island of Elba

Some numbers about the population of the Island of Elba and its 7 Communes

Elba and the conservation of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park

The Island of Elba's territory, and the sea around Lo Scoglietto in Potoferraio, a marine biology area, are protected by the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.

The tiny island of Palmaiola

The tiny island of Palmaiola is in the strait of Piombino and the lighthouse at the top means it can be easily seen from the ferry to Elba

The island of Cerboli

Cerboli is a tiny island between Elba and Piombino with characteristic flora and fauna, some of which isn't as yet fully known.

Visiting the Island of Montecristo

Montecristo is a protected environment of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and the State Forest Rangers. Information about guided excursions on the Island.

The island of Montecristo

Alexandre Dumas' novel has brought fame to this small island south of Elba. Nature here is completely untouched, so swimmng and sailing are strictly forbidden.

The flag of Elba

History of the flag of the Island of Elba, with its 3 bees, symbol of hard work. It was given to Elba by Napoleon during his exile on the island.