1. Island of Elba
  2. The Island of Elba
  3. Places to see
  4. Museums and archeological sites

Museums, archaeological sites, travelling exhibitions tell us of the Island of Elba's complex history

The best known museums on the island of Elba are those relating to Napoleon Bonaparte's exile: both Napoleonic residences are in Portoferraio, where you can also visit the small but very important Napoleonic Antiques Museum, as well as the small Vigilanti theatre house, that Napoleon chose to have built from a deconsacrated church and changed into a place of entertainment.

However, in the book of the history of Elba, there is only a small paragraph about Napoleon: the most important civilizations of the Mediterranean lived on this territory for thousands of years, and proof of their presence is clearly seen in the museums and archeological sites.All the travelling and artistic exhibitions held mostly during the summer months tell of the complex history of the Island of Elba, enrichening what is on show in the museums, libraries and picture galleries all over the island.

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Mineral Museum in Rio Marina

The Elba Museum of Minerals and Mineral Art in Rio Marina awards you a journey through the geo-mineralogical heritage of the Island of Elba.

Foresiana Library

Second only to the Labronica Library, the Foresiana in Portoferraio has a vast number of books of historical and cultural importance.

Linguella Museum of Archaeology

There are Etruscan and Roman remains from the VIII cent. BC to the V cent. AD, proof of the importance of Elba in Mediterranean sea commerce.

Archaeology Museum in Marciana

It was opened in 1968 to give a home to the remains brought to light by the excavation campaigns of that period in all of the Island of Elba.

Foresiana Picture Gallery

The Foresiana Picture Gallery contains a vast collection of pieces of art, pictures and paintings, divided into twelve groups.

Dei Semplici Garden

Live plants museum at the Santa Caterina Hermitage.

Rio Elba Civic Archaeology Museum

The history of the eastern side of the Island of Elba is closely linked to the mineral ores

Villa dei Mulini

Built in 1724 by the Grand Duke Gian Gastone de' Medici Napoleon had some alterations done to suit his own needs during his exile in Elba

San Martino Villa

It was Napoleon's summer residence, and has antiques and works of art that date back to his exile in Elba.

MUM - Mineral Museum

The Museum in San Piero is dedicated to Luigi Celleri (1828-1900), from San Piero in Campo, who was a lover of the minerals on the western side of Elba

Maritime Museum in Capoliveri

There is an exhibition in the Maritime Museum in Capoliveri "The Tragedy of the Polluce - Shipwreck in Capoliveri"

Italo Bolano International Open Air

A combination of art and culture, the Italo Bolano Open Air is the perfect meeting place for srtists, art and the public.

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Ginevro mine and Old Workshop MuseumMisericordia ChurchMineral Park in Rio Marina

Map of museums on the Island of Elba

Legend of points of interest

Museums

Groups di points of interest: zoom in to see them (the icon may vary in colour and size).

12 places to visit that can be seen on the map.
The map has already been laid out at a zoom level that enables you to see all the points of interest.