The Island of Elba combines the charm of the sea and its natural beauty with the fascination of a rich history: from ancient Rome to the middle ages, from Spanish rule to the exile of Napoleon Bonaparte. Day 1
Portoferraio
Arrival at Portoferraio and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
2
Napoleon’s Residences at Portoferraio
After breakfast, tour of Portoferraio where Napoleon landed in 1814 for his exile. Villa dei Mulini was his official
residence and has now been transformed into a museum displaying furniture of the period and the Emperor’s library. After lunch, visit to Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s summer residence. The buildings owe their present appearance to Prince Demidoff, husband of Matilde Bonaparte who, during the 19th century, enlarged the original villa into a Neo-Classical palace to house a museum. Inside, may be seen Canova’s Galatea, said to be modelled on Pauline Bonaparte. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
3
Spanish Fortifications and Remote Places of Worship
After breakfast, visit to Capoliveri and the 16th-century Shrine of the Madonna delle Grazie, the Focardo Fort built in the 17th century by the Spaniards, and the Chapel of San Michele, one of the first churches built on the island. Excursion to Porto Azzurro to visit the Fortress of Longone, also known as the Fortress of San Giacomo, and the Shrine of the Madonna di Monserrato, erected in the 17th century to the Black Madonna, who is worshipped in Spain at Montserrat. After lunch, transfer to Rio Elba to visit the Fortress of San Giacomo, the old laundry houses, the Grotto of San Giuseppe, the restored hermitage of
Santa Caterina. At Rio Marina the ruins of the Roman villa of Capo Castello may be seen, as well as the 15thcentury Forte del Giogo (Jove’s Fort) and the Church of San Rocco (16th century). Return to the hotel for dinner andovernight stay.
4
Mediaeval Towers and Chapels
After breakfast, visit to Campo nell’Elba and the Medici tower guarding the port. At San Pietro, we find the Church of San Nicolò, probably built on the ruins of a Roman temple, and on the road leading to Monte Perone is the Church of San Giovanni (12th century). Transfer to Marciana Marina, famous tourist port, with the mediaeval district “Cotone” and the Port Tower (12th century). After lunch, visit Marciana: from the archaeological museum to the Romanesque Church of San
Lorenzo, from the hermitage of San Cerbone to the 12th-century Pisan fortress and to the Shrine of the Madonna del Monte.
Departure as planned.
