|
The island offers a marvelous variety of scenery, from small hidden coves to
long sandy beaches; each corner of Elba holds its own special surprise for
visitors. The island is washed by crystal clear water in every shade of blue - a
paradise for divers.
It's wooded hills make it ideal for hikers, it's panoramic roads so popular with
mountain bikers. Those in search of culture will find it's ancient churches and
museums a pleasant alternative to seaside activities.
The Island of Elba is the third largest Italian island after Sicily and Sardinia
and is the largest in the Tuscan Archipelago.
It has recently become part of the Tuscan Archipelago's National Park together
with the islands of Pianosa, Capraia, Montecristo, Giglio and Giannutri.
Elba has a coastline of 147 km: its main mountain (Monte Capanne) is 1019 metres
high, accessed via pathways or by a panoramic cable car.
BRIEF INFORMATION
Measuring 224 square kms, the island is situated 10 kms from the
mainland with an excellent ferry boat service taking only one hour
from Piombino to Portoferraio (the island's main town).
Elba has approximately 30.000 inhabitants, of these, 11.000 live in
Portoferraio. The island is divided into 8 administrative
"Communes".
It has an asphalt road network of 160 km and 80 km of panoramic
"macadam" roads.
The climate is always mild with a middle annual temperature of ca.
16°; the medium in the winter is about 10° degrees, 14° in spring,
23° degrees in summer and 17° degrees in autumn. The medium
water-temperature in April is always about 19° degrees, 20° in May,
June about 24°, 26,8° degrees in July, in August 27,3°, September
25,5° degrees and October 23,1° degrees.
Already in acient times Elba's destiny was always determined by two
factors: its strategic position and the richness of its mineral
resources. Due to these characteristics, it was often the object of
conquest for the various powers along the Mediterranean. For the
Etruscans and the Romans Elba represented an inexhaustible source of
riches and the iron from Elba contributed to the prospering of their
civilazation.
During the Medieval period Elba was dominated
by Pisa. The remains of some important and striking defensive
structures testify the importance of possessing the island. The
Appiani Lordship followed, as did the attentions of Cosimo de
Medici, who built "Cosmopoli" on top of the ruins of the Roman city
of Fabricia - now the capital Portoferraio - and had it surrounded
with the impressive walls that saved the inhabitans from many pirate
raids. The Spaniards settled in Porto Azzurro and they too made sure
to construct defenses on their territory - the imposing San Giacomo
Fort still dominates the pleasant landscape.
| 
Hotel & Residence Villa Rosa - Località Barbarossa 57036 Porto Azzurro - Isola d'Elba (LI) - P.iva 01415060498