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island's capital is located on a spur of a rock and is of
Etruscan and Greek origin. The legend tells that Argonauts
came to Portoferraio, led by Jason, in their search for golden
fleece, while archaeological findings show an as early presence
as both of Etruscans and Romans on the island. The ancient
names Fabricia e Feraia, given by these populations, prove
that it was the mines' extraordinary richness of ferrous minerals
that attracted them, for their production of arms. Portoferraio's
historic heart is preserved in the narrow streets behind the
harbor, between Piazza Cavour and Piazza della Repubblica,
in the alleys and the steps leading the way to the Medicean
fortifications.
The Medicean town still reserves memories from when it was
renamed Cosmopoli in the honour of Cosimo de' Medici the 1:st,
who in 1548 re-constructed and fortificated the village after
it had been razed to the ground by the Saracenes. It was then
that Fort Falcone and Fort della Stella , the "della
Linguella" Tower and the solid city-walls which made
the town almost impregnable, were built on designs by the
architects Camerini and Belluzzi. The following historic event
of importance in Portoferraio is connected to the presence
of Emperor Napoleon who built his residence and the headquarters
for the Empires organization just outside the village. The
impressive iron complex at Portoferraio was demolished as
a consequence to the bombings during WW II and today the town
is the seat for most offices and public services as well as
the center for main communications. Still, the worst mistake
you can make, is to consider Portoferraio a landing to leave
as soon as possible and move on to discover the island.
Elba's capital actually guards treasures
of rare beauty and before leaving for the beaches you should
at least visit it completely. An itinerary dedicated to
the Medicean Portoferraio will take you to Fort Falcone
and Fort Stella, the "della Linguinella" tower
and the church Santissimo Sacramento, while in order to
see Napoleonic beauties you should start by visiting the
Palazzina dei Mulini, a splendid building that symbolized
the Emperor's public life. Continue by visiting the Vigilanti
theatre which was a gift from the Emperor to his sister
Pauline, followed by the Misericordia church and then finish
up with Villa San Martino, the Emperor's private residence.
If you want to combine marine relax with the well-being
of thermal baths you should get on the road for Cavo and
stop at Terme di San Giovanni, a true panacea for curing
rheumatic pains and for the skin, built on salt-pans already
known by the ancients for curing the lower limbs of race
horses,.
Today, the beneficient properties in the
mud, containing seaweed rich with iodine and sulphur, are
still used, especially in the making of cosmetics that are
sold to the public. Leaving Terme di San Giovanni, the road
takes you to the ruins of Villa delle Grotte that raises
on a panoramic headland and from where you can enjoy the
view of Portoferraio's entire harbour. There is no doubt
the botanic garden next to the camping Rosselba, in the
out-skirts of the capital, is worth a visit. The garden
guards several species of tropical plants and secular trees
risking extinction. After having been neglected for a long
time, the park was rediscovered and restored by a young
botanist in 1985 commissioned by a rich Bavarian. Along
the road for San Martino instead, you will find the so-called
Valle delle Ceramiche (Valley of Ceramics), a 10.000 square
meters green oasis that gathers about twenty monumental
works of art in ceramics. It is situated inside a private
estate on the will of the Elban painter Italo Bolano and
houses the International Art Center where artists and public
gather every summer to meet, discuss and work. There is
also an educational center with workrooms for painting,
pottery and tillage.
Biblioteca Foresiana Phone (+39) 0565.937243
Mercato all'aperto
Museo civico archeologico Phone (+39) 0565.917338
Palazzina dei Mulini (museo Napoleonico) Phone (+39) 0565.915846
Pinacoteca Foresiana Phone (+39) 0565.917649
Villa di S. Martino (museo Napoleonico) Phone (+39) 0565.914688
Banks Banca dell'Elba Calata Italia 28/29 Phone (+39) 0565
918979 Fax. 0565 918611
Banks Banca di Roma via Manganaro Phone (+39) 0565.918259
Banks Banca Toscana V.le T.Tesei Phone (+39) 0565.930658
Banks Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze P.zza Cavour Phone (+39) 0565.930422
Banks Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze (ag. Carpani) Loc. Carpani
Phone (+39) 0565.930628
Banks Cassa di Risparmio di Livorno via Manganaro Tel. Phone (+39) 0565.914032
Banks Monte dei Paschi di Siena V. Garibaldi Phone (+39) 0565.914771
Banks Monte dei Paschi di Siena via Carducci Phone (+39) 0565.914386
Health Ambulanza (Misericordia) Phone (+39) 0565.914009
Health Ambulanza (Croce Verde) Phone (+39) 0565.917070
Health Ambulanza (Ss. Sacramento) Phone (+39) 0565.914010
Health Assistenza medica per i turisti Phone (+39) 0565.914212
Health Farmacia Coli P.zza del Popolo 12 Phone (+39) 0565.914377
Health Farmacia Comparini Localita' Carpani 76 Phone (+39) 0565.915429
Health Farmacia Fusi Piazza Cavour Phone (+39) 0565.914026
Health Guardia medica (consulenza telefonica) Phone (+39) 0565.0914212
Health Misericordia Phone (+39) 0565.921082
Health Ospedale Phone (+39) 0565.926111
Health Pubblica Assistenza Phone (+39) 0565.920202
Post Office Centrale via Garibaldi Phone (+39) 0565.914052
Post Office Servizio Pacchi Via Carducci Phone (+39) 0565.916058
Post Office Succursale n.1 loc. Carpani n. 15 Phone (+39) 0565.918232
Post Office Succursale n.2 via Carducci n. 45 Phone (+39) 0565.918078
Public offices A.C.I. Viale Elba Phone (+39) 0565.916232
Public offices Biblioteca Foresiana c/o Comune Phone (+39) 0565.937111
Public offices Comune Phone (+39) 0565.937111
Public offices Comunita' Montana Phone (+39) 0565938111
Public offices Dogana Porta a Mare Phone (+39) 0565.914131
Public offices Polizia municipale Phone (+39) 0565.937252
Public offices Prefettura via delle Galeazze Phone (+39) 0565.915002
Public offices Pretura via Guerrazzi Phone (+39) 0565.914369
Public offices Provincia V.le Manzoni Phone (+39) 0565.916891
Taxi Arrighi 0337.718260
Taxi Nautaxi Phone (+39) 0565.917102 - 348.7358444
Taxi Servizio Molo Massimo Phone (+39) 0565.915112
Taxi Stefano Castels 335.5435686 - Phone (+39) 0565.918094
Tennis Tennis club Isola d'Elba Phone (+39) 0565.915366
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