Tuscan Archipelago National Park

The Tuscan Archipelago National Park embraces an area of sea covering more than 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), while the smallest is Gorgona (2.23 km²). The island furthest from the coast is Montecristo, 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 diverse and complex Isola d'Elba to the plateau of Pianosa and the rocky cone of Montecristo. Along the coastlines shaped by the sea, cliffs and caves alternate with small beaches sheltered by wild promontories, colourful flowers cover the rocks, and towers recall the thousand-year presence of humankind.

The landscapes and morphology derive from the different geological origins of the various islands. Gorgona and Montecristo are formed entirely of granite, Giglio and Elba of granite and sedimentary rocks (limestone and marl), and Giannutri and Pianosa of limestone. Capraia consists of both intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks.

Before the tourism boom, the traditional industry was mining, which in the past represented the islands' main economic resource. The importance of the mining activities developed over the years is reflected in the current state of the vegetation. The need for large quantities of charcoal to process the ore and timber to support the mines led to the disappearance of the holm oak forest. The characteristic vegetation cover of the islands is therefore now represented by tall Mediterranean scrub with heather and strawberry trees, together with mastic and myrtle.

In the windiest areas, low Mediterranean scrub develops, dominated by pink rockrose and sea cistus. A beautiful mixed woodland of hop hornbeam, black alder and chestnut, with relict specimens of yew, covers the slopes of Monte Capanne on Isola d'Elba. Endemic species, limited to certain islands, are particularly important, such as the Elba violet and cornflower and the Capraia toadflax.

Birds are the most significant component of the fauna, including the yellow-legged gull (600 nesting pairs), the Audouin's gull (around 200 pairs), the European shag (30 pairs), Scopoli's and Yelkouan shearwaters, the common raven, the peregrine falcon, the blue rock thrush and the rock dove. These are joined by an extremely abundant flow of migratory species.

The sea surrounding the islands is home to all the species characteristic of the Tyrrhenian Sea, including extensive Posidonia meadows, gorgonians, sea anemones, corals and starfish. Several species of dolphins are present, as well as the dusky grouper and the rare ocean sunfish. Sperm whales and fin whales are reported more rarely. Sightings of the Mediterranean monk seal are extremely sporadic.

The IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature, the world's leading organisation for parks and nature reserves, based in Switzerland, has included the Tuscan Archipelago  National Park in the prestigious Green List, which recognises the world's leading protected areas and represents a certification programme for those that effectively achieve the highest standards of nature conservation and sustainable management.

Useful information

Park activities
Download the Park programme: activities, visits, excursions, educational workshops and major events on all seven islands, for all ages and interests ›

To find out about workshops and activities organised by the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, visit the website www.elbaeventi.it

Tuscan Archipelago National Park
Portoferraio - Località Enfola
Tel. 0565.919411 - website: www.islepark.it

InfoPark Arcipelago Toscano
Tourist information centre of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park
Portoferraio - Calata Italia n. 4
Tel. 0565.908231 - info@parcoarcipelago.info - website: www.parcoarcipelago.info