The Villa dei Mulini, official residence on the island of Elba of Napoleon and his sister Paolina, contains still numerous recordings (furniture, paintings, objects, etc.) and is situated in a wonderful panoramic position between two fortresses: the Stella and the Falcone fortress.

Opening hours:
Open all year round.
Closed on Thuesdays.
Week days: 08.30-19.00
Week ends: 08.30-13.00

Napoleon baught the little house in the San Martino valley with the money his sister Paolina lended him. His projects were to transform it in his summer residence, but in reality he lived there only once in a while. He preferred going there during the fresher hours of the day in company of some Lady or peasant girl. This little “maison rustique” was renovated and decorated by the painter Revelli.

The building underneath, of neo-classical style was built with golden brown stones from Elba and displays a beautiful fresco alternating napoleonic motives and bees. It was build as a napoleonean museum-gallery by Anatolio Demidoff, one of the most important tuscan collectionists of the 18th. century and unconditional admirer of Napoleon.

Since 1984 the gallery exposes printings concerning Napoleon and temporary historical exhibitions.

Opening hours:
From 1st April to 25th October 2105:
Weekdays 8.30-19.00 (last entry at 18:00 hours)
Public holiday 8.30-13.00 (last entry at 12.00 hours)
Closed: Mondays; 1st January; 1st May; 25th Dicember

This small masterpiece right in the centre of Portoferraio is just one of the many traces of Napoleon’s short stay in Elba.

Built in the XIX century, in what had previously been a deconsecrated church dedicated to Our Lady of Carmine (XVII century), it has three tiers of boxes, a chapel bearing the same name as the hospital commissioned by the Marquis Sorbello in 1617.

Since its restoration, no other theater on the island offers residents and tourists so many national and international important theatrical and musical events.

Visiting HOURS:
2 April – 2 November
9:30 – 13:00

Closed: Sundays
Opening Sundays and in the afternoon for organized groups

PRICES:
– WHOLE € 3,00 – REDUCED* € 2,00 – CUMULATED € 7,00

* Student Groups (free for teachers)
Groups over 20 pax (free for guide)

The museum houses the bronze funeral mask and the cast of one of Napoleon’s hands found when he died at Saint Helen as well as some recordings of his stay on Elba.

The entrance to the Fortress is at the end of Via Guerrazzi, a street better known as “Porta a Terra” because it leads to the second entrance of this Medicean town. A walk along the “Fronte d’Attacco” (Front of Attack), the truly majestic architectural building that closes off the ancient town of Cosmopoli, Cosimo’s home town, is without a doubt a suggestive experience.

The fortress, that along with Forte Falcone, Forte Stella and the Linguella was once one of the major defence points of the entire town, consists of ramparts at different levels that one by one go down as far as the sea; over the years they were all made stronger and used as military residences as well as strategic watch towers.

Today, on the other hand, they are simply a place where adults can sit and relax on the benches and children can play, a place where the important history of the past mingles with the pleasure of the present.

 

Visiting HOURS:
2 April – 12 June and 14 September – 2 November
10:00 – 16:40

13 June – 13 September
10:00 – 20:00

PRICES:
– WHOLE € 5,00 – REDUCED* € 3,00 – CUMULATED € 7,00

* Student Groups (free for teachers)
Groups over 20 pax (free for guide)

The Archeological and Civic Museum, small but very interesting, exposes archeological findings from sea and land, found on the stranded roman ships around Elba. Elba was since anciant times on the crossroads of the commercial sea traffic. Aready since the antiquity the presence of iron on the island was of great importance for the etruscan, greec and roman civilisations.

There are also some cabinets that contain some of the major objects from the Mellini and Foresi Civic Collections.

Visiting HOURS:
2 April – 12 June and 14 September – 2 November
10:00 – 13:00 / 15:30 – 19:10

13 June – 13 September
9:30 – 13:30 / 17:30 – 24:00

PRICES:
– WHOLE € 4,00 – REDUCED* € 3,00 – EXTERNAL ENTRANCE € 2,00 – CUMULATED € 7,00

* Student Groups (free for teachers)
Groups over 20 pax (free for guide)

During the roman period the Gulf of Portoferraio contained two villas, used by rich romans for their vacation. The remainder of the second villa can be visited beside the “Torre del Martello”, just behind the Archaeological Museum of Portoferraio.

The “Villa delle Grotte” was built during the 1st. century b.C and already abandoned during the 2nd. century a.C.

Between the 4 th. and the 6th. century the ruins were most probably occupied by hermit monks. During the years 1799 – 1802 Elba was the battleground between the French and the garrisons loyal to the grand duke of Tuscany, supported by elban insurgents and the British Marine. It was during these difficult years that the external walls of the villa were distroyed in order to instal a group of siege cannons.

The finds made during the excavations in the 60th. can be seen at the Archaeolocical Museum “della Linguella” in Portoferraio.

Opening Hours:
From May 14th to June 12th and September 12th to 30th (every Saturday and Sunday):
– 9:30 to 12:30 hours / 16:00-19:30 hours;
From June 12th to September 11th:
– 9:00 to 12:00 hours / 17:00 to 20:00 hours

Open all year by appointment.

Tickets:

Full € 4.00, reduced € 3.00;

Special +prices for couples, families, groups;

Portoferraio Card: € 10.00: including admission to the Villa delle Grotte, Archaeological Museum of Linguella, Theater dei Vigilanti, Medici Fortress, Forte Falcone.

Info: 327.8369680 – villadellegrotte@gmail.com

 

The Museum “Pinacoteca Foresiana” is located in the old “Da Laugier” barracks and displays some of the most relevant art pieces of the Mario Foresi collection: paintings and prints of various authors and schools.

For the art lover a visit not to be missed. The Pinacoteca Foresiana exposes the magnificent works of known artists like Signorini, Cannici, Nomellini, Cigheri, Bilivert, Lapi as well as other famous artists.

 

Opening hours:
Winter: 9.00 – 12.00 Thuesdays and Thursdays
Summer: 9.00 – 12.00 from Monday to Friday
Guided visits on request