Aethalia. That was the name the ancient Greek sailors used to call it when, sailing for the Tyrrenihian sea, were looking at the bright lights in the distance coming from the kilns where iron and granite were being melted, two of the minerals widely available on the island, which in the past were exported both by the Etruscans and the ancient Romans.
Aethalia is the ancient Greek word for “spark”, and this original name still fits the island today: a sparkling gem in the Tuscan, and Italian, panorama.
It is the Elba island, off the Tuscan coast of the Maremman area, the most famous island among the Tuscan Islands, including the islands of Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Giannutri and Gorgona.
An area full of history, where both past and present are inseparably intertwined, mixing up amusement and relaxation typical of the local natural landscape, with an astonishingly beautiful vista, suggestive views and historical facts.
A Great Variegated History
As a consequence of several archeological finds on the island, there is concrete proof of the existence of settlements in the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) already. However, it is much later, during the Etruscan civilization, that the Elban area began to strengthen its history and influence, bound to the mainland nearby, currently known as the region Tuscany.
The Etruscans settled down on the island during the 8th century B.C., and exploited the enormous mineral veins, the iron ones above all. They used to melt and then export iron items in their trades.
The ancient Romans, at the end of the Etruscan age, kept on exploiting the veins, but remarkably focussing on some other aspects too, such as wine production, to the extent that the famous writer Pliny The Elder used to call Elba “the Island of Good Wine”. A lot of amphoras to be traced back to those times, originally used to contain wine, are now kept in the Elban archaeological museums of Marciana and Portoferraio.
Further on, the Republic of Pisa took control of the island and, thanks to the forward-thinking trading policy of its rulers, managed to intensify the exploitation of the mineral veins. They also supported the building of several edifices that were very relevant from an architectural point of view, such as Romanesque-style churches and military fortresses like the Volterraio castle. This hexagon-based castle was built on the mount bearing the same name as a defense outpost from pirate attacks.
In the 16th century the Medici, a renowned Tuscan family based in Florence, patronized the building of the fortified town of Portoferraio, still one of the most relevant locations of the island nowadays.
After the Spanish occupation, on May 04th 1814 one of the greatest events in the history of the island took place eventually. It was Napoleon Bonaparte’s arrival.
Exiled from France by the other European countries after the Fontainebleau Treaty, his stay on the island was widely celebrated by the Elban people. He spent only ten months there before returning to France aiming at winning back his power and strengthening it during the famous Hundred Days. However, during his short time on the island, Napoleon got down to work to reorganise the administrative and governmental management of the place, promoting the refurbishment of buildings and the creation of new means of communication. He also had roads paved making them more comfortable and eventually enhanced the transport system on the island. Elba became, under his regency, a true Principality, later included in the possessions of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany after Napoleon left the island.
In more recent times, starting from the 20th century, Elba has been becoming a more and more touristic destination both for Italian and foreign visitors, especially in the summer, where the island gets more and more crowded compared to its about 30,000 usual inhabitants.
Napoleon’s Villas
Back to Napoleon, who happens to be the most prominent historical personality linked to the island, it is undoubtedly worthy to mention the villas he stayed in during his Elban days.
Villa San Martino, open to visitors all year, is located not far from Portoferraio, and was Napoleon’s summer residence. On two floors, it was remarkably characterised by Napoleon himself, who wanted it to be refurbished according to the ideas of adornment and refinement he did appreciate so much, promoting the creation of a suspended garden right next to the compound too.
On the second floor the Egyptian room is simply breathtaking, with frescos on the walls recalling the ancient Egypt contexts, and the famous heptagon-shaped basin in the middle.
The Villa also holds the Demidoff museum, named after his patron and main supporter, Anatolio Demidoff, husband to Napoleon’s niece. Demidoff, admirer of Napoleon himself and fond of his history, founded the museum which takes the whole first floor of the villa
and contains portraits and artifacts dedicated to his life and enterprises.
As his main residence Napoleon chose Villa dei Mulini instead, open to visitors too. On a single floor, the villa was originally built in Portoferraio thanks to the support of the Medici family in 1724. Napoleon redesigned it too, aiming at turning it into a residence that recalled the typical Parisian taste of the time. He also had a celebration hall built that is the real flagship of the whole compound, together with a library containing precious books and manuscripts belonging to the French general himself, and a splendid garden.
The Natural Beauties
Starting from the historical and cultural aspects described, Elba’s beauty needs of course to be extended to enchanting landscapes and dreaming beaches too. Beaches are really Elba’s pride and joy thanks to their variety both when it comes to size and composition. For instance, according to the ground composition, beaches can be “classic”, therefore made of sand, or with a surface covered in cobbles and gravel. Besides, most of those are not very big in their size, with a gentle slope leading to the sea, making them perfect for families with babies to relax and enjoy their days at sea.
The Capobianco beach, not far from Portoferraio, is completely lit up by sunlight, so strong until a few minutes from sunset and is formed by white cobbles, both on the strand and the seabed, favouring a wonderful crystal-clear water effect. It is definitely one of the most famous beaches of the island, with the Biodola beach as well. Placed on the northern coast, this beach is made of very thin, golden sand. It is highly visited by tourists and families in particular, being easy to reach and equipped with all services and comforts. Thanks to its clear waters it is often chosen by snorkeling lovers too.
Proceeding south-west, Fetovaia is another suggestive place to visit. It offers a wonderful view thanks to the blue water of the sea and it is placed in a peculiar natural location. It is surrounded by the typical Mediterranean scrub and protected by the hills and mounts around, that prevent winds from worming their way in, keeping the suggestive calmness and transparency of its water safe.
Sant’Andrea is a granite-sand beach placed between the villages of Marciana and Marina di Campo and particularly suitable for scuba diving because of the depth of its seabed, becoming quite remarkable not so far from the coast.
The Enfola beach distinguishes itself from the others being formed by a sand strip bordered on both sides by the sea. It allows, in the distance, a wonderful view on the Sant’Andrea beach.
The Seccheto beach next to the homonymous village offers the unique opportunity to enjoy bathing in some so-called natural pools. The Scogliera delle Piscine (The Swimming-Pool Cliff) is formed by granite cliffs and, thanks to its shapes, lets the sea water in, forming suggestive natural pools quite next to the sea. This is why it is considered one of the most distinctive locations of the whole island.
Have you ever thought of spending your holidays here, maybe in an amazing villa, enjoying this breathtaking landscape? The Elba Island can give you all of this: an astonishing view between magic and tranquillity, fun and relaxation, the beauty of nature and the charm of history.
