 The port of Portoferraio | ||
| Portoferraio | ||
| region | Tuscany | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | approx. 11,500 | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 11955   | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Portoferraio is the capital of zur Tuscany belonging island Elba.
background
Portoferraio was probably founded as Fabricia by the Romans. In the 7th century the place called Feraia was destroyed by the Saracens. The reconstruction took place soon, as the spacious bay offered excellent conditions for a harbor.
The place in its present form goes back to the 16th century, when the Pisan family Appiani handed the place over to Cosimo I. Medici. Under this, the still formative fortresses Stella and Falcone emerged as a coastal bastion against the pirates who were busy in the Mediterranean. He also changed the name to Cosmopoli.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Portoferraio and Elba were fiercely contested by the English, Spanish, French and Austrians because of their location. Napoleon's intermezzo on the island followed in 1814, which can still be felt today. Especially the few months of the Corsican brought Portoferraio new importance as an iron port of the island and as a result also as a location of important heavy industry until the 1970s. In the meantime P. has mainly become a ferry port and tourist destination. The harbor basin became more and more a mooring for super yachts. Today Portoferraio is the pulsating capital of the island with some luxury shops and a pedestrian zone established in June 2015. Strictly speaking, the "capital" of the island is Livorno, since Elba belongs to the province of Livorno.
getting there
For several years now, four lines have officially been used to connect Piombino and Portoferraio: MobyLines, Toremar, BluNavy and Corsica-Elba-Ferries.
For more information, see the Isola d'Elba main page.
mobility
The busy capital of the Elba is temporarily suffocating in traffic. The Centro storico was often enough to remind you of a single car park with unrestricted access. Therefore, in the early summer of 2015, the administration announced the closure of the promenade of the old port and the old town for 2016. This is intended to bind the non-local traffic in the parking lots outside.
Tourist Attractions
Portoferraio is an exciting place. It offers interesting corners, but no great secular or cult buildings. But if you also appreciate the rural culture, you will definitely find something here.
- Duomo. It is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary and was built in 1548-54 at the behest of Cosimo I. The building got its present appearance from the restoration in 1823.
- San Rocco. The building, which dates back to the 16th century, is the most representative church in Portoferraio. The neighboring cemetery was also the final resting place for victims of the plague and executions.
- 1 Chiesa della Misericordia.
The small church was built in 1677. It keeps relics of the patron saint of the city of San Cristino. A Madonna and Child by Tino da Camaino also adorns the church.
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- Teatro the Vigilanti. Originally built in 1618 as Chiesa del Carmine for the neighboring hospital, it was converted into a warehouse at the beginning of the 19th century [probably in the course of secularization]. Napoleon had the building converted into a theater in 1814. In 1997, after a long period of closure and restoration, it reopened.
- 2 Palazzo / Villa dei Mulini. During the nine months of his exile on Elba, Napoleon had his residence here. The name comes from the no longer existing mills in the neighborhood. Gian Gastone di Medici had the property built in 1742. Today the building is considered a national museum.
- Fortezze Stella e Falcone: You dominate the access to the city because of the location on the two highest points. Together, both were considered invincible to attackers from the sea. 3 Fort Stella secured the access to the port while 4 Fort Falcone monitored the port itself as well as the west and north sides seaward. Both fortresses were built on behalf of Cosimo I after 1548, and were gradually expanded.
- 5 Torre della Linguella. At the eastern end of the harbor basin is the octagonal fortification tower, which was also built at the instigation of the Medici in the middle of the 16th century. In 1977 ruins from Roman times were found during renovation work. The area around the tower is used in a variety of ways.Price: Free entry.
- 6 Portoferraio lighthouse
outside of Portoferraio:
- Villa Romana delle Grotte. Almost exactly opposite the port exit, near the road to Port Azzurro, are the ruins of the Villa delle Grotte on a steep cliff. It was built in Roman times in the first century after the turn of the times and was a luxurious country residence. The facility should be accessible again in 2016, as it was mostly closed in previous years due to lack of funds. However, the remains are not very impressive, as the foundation walls and substructures in particular have survived the 2000 years since then. But when the weather is good, the view from there over the bay of Portoferraio is great.
- Villa San Martino. Napoleon chose the valley of San Martino (approx. 5 km south) for his summer residence. However, most of the parts were not completed until after his second abdication. The driving force was his henchman Count Demidoff. Next to the Villa dei Mulini, San Martino is the most important place of the Napoleonic period on Elba and enjoys the corresponding number of visitors.
- Castiglione di San Martino. Not far from the Villa San Martino you come across the remains of Etruscan buildings. These date back to the fourth century. Around the year 250 the Romans destroyed the property.
- Museo Italo Bolano. Italo Bolano is an Elban artist at an advanced age who enjoys a great reputation. On Elba in particular, his works can be found almost at every step. The central point is the open-air museum in the Valle San Martino. A very attractive destination for friends of expressive modern art - just like his works of art scattered across the island.
- 7 Santo Stefano all Trane. Allegedly because of its location, the 12th century building was left untouched by pirates. A little out of the way near Magazzini, the church stands on a small plateau. The single-nave building with a semicircular apse has a simple character, but beautiful proportions. However, the pillars that once surrounded it have now disappeared without a trace. In order to gain access, you must ask for the key in the neighborhood. Especially for romantic weddings, San Stefano is often used as a background.
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activities
shop
There are some exclusive shops, especially in the touristy areas of the old port. In the shadow of the Duomo is the former market hall, which today houses a collection of various service providers and dealers. In addition, there are always small, often simple shops for everyday needs.
kitchen
In principle, the same applies as for the island as a whole.
nightlife
accommodation
Practical advice
in Italian, English, German and with hands and feet ...
