Patresi, Island of Elba

This tiny town is along the Western Coast of the Island of Elba, between the towns of Sant'Andrea and Chiessi.

Just like the other holiday resorts in this area, Patresi too has grown a lot as far as tourism is concerned, but at the same time has managed to keep its original aspect as much as possible, thanks to the agricultural work that characterized the territory in the past, and even today you can still see traces of some cultivated terracings.

Interesting information: the name Patresi, originally "Li Patresi", probably comes from the Latin «petrenses», meaning stony areas.

The nature around the town is just one of the characteristics that help to make Patresi the perfect tourist resort for those who want to have a sporting holiday.

There are many paths to follow either on foot or on your mountain bike that start right from the valley in Patresi; if you head downwards to the coast, the sea bed proves to be perfect for scuba divers if they want to swim down into a breathtaking sea that is rich in fish!

The Punta Polveraia Lighthouse that you will see is in a very scenic position, and stands tall on a rock bearing the same name that goes right down to the sea.

The project, that dates back to 1831, was that of building a small, military post, but it was enlarged in 1909 when the lighthouse was built in order to throw light over the western coast of the Island of Elba as well as over the sea between Elba and Corsica. The building, consisting of an octagonal tower with a light at the top, sits directly on the rock and is a very valid piece of architecture.

All around you have the colours and scents that are so typical of the Mediterranean bush: pine trees,  juniper bushes, phoenixes, rosemary, rock roses and mastic trees, as well as many types of water-retaining plants that were probably planted for ornamental reasons by those who, one after the other, worked in the lighthouse. 

Interesting information: In 2016 the name of the lighthouse was put forward in the "Valore Paese" competition in an attempt to recuperate and give adequate value to the Italian "sea treasures", whether they were lighthouses, towers or simply coastal buildings. Many offers have been made but at the moment, since the renovation work that the lighthouse needs has come to a standstill because many environmental associations are against it, for the time being the Landscape Plan on behalf of the Region of Tuscany has to await approval.

The two beaches of Patresi and Punta Polveraia are only less than one kilometre from the main road, and since they are both made up of shingle they are not very busy even in summer, so you know you can be sure of finding peace and quiet along with a very crystal clear sea.

There aren't many facilities in Patresi, mostly different types of holiday accommodation, but in the towns of La Zanca and above all Sant'Andrea you will find many other commercial facilities and shops.