The Volterraio Castle in Portoferraio

The Volterraio Castle is the oldest fortification on the Island of Elba. The origin of its name is uncertain. Some scholars trace it back to Volterra or Volterran, attributing its foundation to the Etruscans. Others connect the name to the same root, linking it instead to its supposed true founder, architect Vanni Gherardo Rau, who was commissioned by the Pisans to oversee the castle's reconstruction and was originally from Volterra. Another hypothesis ties the name to the Latin word Vultur (vulture), which reportedly nested here in the past.

The Volterraio Castle is located on a rugged height of 394 meters, visible from almost any point on the island and even from the ferry arriving in Portoferraio.

The site was chosen by the Etruscans to build the first watchtower. Climbing the mountain, on top of which the castle is built, reveals why this strategic position was selected: the castle overlooks cliffs and steep slopes on three sides, enabling surveillance and defense of nearly the entire island of Elba.

In 1281, the structure was expanded by the Pisans, who continued using it for defensive purposes. Around 1440, in the context of strengthening Elban defenses by Jacopo III Appiani, Lord of Piombino, it was enlarged and fortified. It remained a fortress for surveillance, providing a broad defensive scope and guarding the entire island.

The Volterraio Castle is one of the few Elban fortresses never captured by Turkish pirates, who raided Elba multiple times. It also served as a refuge for many Elbans during the sieges of 1544 and 1554.

Purchased by the Tuscan Archipelago National Park in 1999, the castle was in a severe state of decay. In January 2016, the first phase of planned restoration works was completed to secure the fortress and restore architectural elements such as the original entrance, the perimeter walkway, and the reconstruction of the tower with a footbridge and the chapel.

On July 18, 2017, the results of the second phase of work were presented. The ancient access paths were improved, with wooden steps and handrails in the steeper sections, making the structure more accessible. Collaborating with the archaeological superintendency, the original paving was restored.

infoelba recommends: It's worth climbing to the top of the mountain hosting the Volterraio Castle to admire the majestic remains of its walls and enjoy a stunning view of central Elba, particularly over the Gulf of Portoferraio and, on the horizon, the wild Capraia island and Corsica. Don't miss the sunset view.

The Castle's Structure

The Volterraio Castle is built on a hexagonal plan. The oldest parts of the castle are the walls and the quadrangular tower, designed to optimize surveillance. Thanks to a signaling system, it was possible to communicate with other towers on the island and partially with the Tuscan coast.

The tower's entrance is connected to the perimeter walkway by a wooden drawbridge.

At the corner facing the access side, the walkway widens into a small courtyard, likely the most vulnerable point where artillery was concentrated. Today, it serves as an incomparable panoramic terrace.

On the southern side, there is a ravelin with very high parapets featuring numerous loopholes for added defense of the entrance.

Download the informative brochure on the Volterraio Castle, prepared by the Tuscan Archipelago National Park »

Upon completing the interventions, the Tuscan Archipelago National Park commissioned a video documenting the restoration work on the Volterraio Fortress.