Tuscan Archipelago National Park

The Tuscan Archipelago National Park covers a sea area of over 600 km² between Livorno and the Argentario promontory, and includes seven islands: Capraia, Elba, Giannutri, Giglio, Gorgona, Montecristo, Pianosa, as well as the Formiche di Grosseto and other smaller rocks. The largest island is Elba (223.5 km²), and the smallest is Gorgona (2.23 km²). The furthest from the coast is Montecristo, located 68 km away, while Capraia is only 34 km from Elba.

Despite the small size of the islands, the variety of landscapes is remarkable: from the complex and varied Elba Island, to the plateau of Pianosa, to the rocky cone of Montecristo. Along the coasts, cliffs and caves alternate with small beaches protected by wild promontories, while colorful flowers cover the rocks and towers, recalling the millennial presence of humans.

Landscapes and morphology result from the different geological origins of the various islands. Gorgona and Montecristo are entirely made of granite, Giglio and Elba are made of granite and sedimentary rocks (limestones and marls), Giannutri and Pianosa are made of limestones. Capraia is made of both intrusive and extrusive magmatic rocks.

The traditional industry, before the tourism boom, was mining, which was the main economic resource of the islands in the past. The importance of mining activities over the years is reflected in the current state of vegetation. The need for large quantities of charcoal, for the processing of ore, and timber for the mine supports led to the disappearance of the oak forest. The typical vegetation cover of the islands is now represented by "high" scrub with heather and strawberry tree, along with mastic and myrtle.

In the windier areas, "low" scrub develops, where red rock rose and sea cistus prevail. A beautiful mixed forest of black hornbeam, black alder, and chestnut, with relict specimens of yew, covers the slopes of Mount Capanne, on Elba Island. Special importance is given to endemics, limited to certain islands, such as the Elba violet and the Elba cornflower, as well as the Capraia linaria.

Birds make up the most relevant fauna component, with the yellow-legged gull (600 nesting pairs), the cory's shearwater (about 200 pairs), the crested cormorant (30 pairs), the greater and lesser shearwater, the imperial raven, the peregrine falcon, the solitary sparrow, and the wild pigeon. An abundant flow of migratory species is also present.

The sea surrounding the islands hosts all the characteristic species of the Tyrrhenian Sea, such as vast meadows of posidonia, gorgonians, sea anemones, corals, and starfish. Several species of dolphins, the brown grouper, and the rare sunfish are present. More rarely, sightings of sperm whales and common minke whales are reported. Extremely sporadic are sightings of the monk seal.

The IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature, the highest global body for parks and nature reserves, based in Switzerland, has included the Tuscan Archipelago National Park in the prestigious Green List, which recognizes the world's protected areas that excel in natural conservation and sustainable management.

Useful Information

Park Activities
Download the Park program: activities, visits, excursions, educational workshops, major events across all seven islands, for all ages and tastes ›

For information on workshops and activities of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, visit www.elbaeventi.it

Tuscan Archipelago National Park
Portoferraio - Enfola location
Tel. 0565.919411 - Fax 0565.913350 - website: www.islepark.it

InfoPark Tuscan Archipelago
Tourist information center of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park
Portoferraio - Calata Italia No. 4
Tel. 0565.908231 - info@parcoarcipelago.info - website: www.parcoarcipelago.info