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Campo nell'Elba 
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Marciana Marina 
Island of Elba The rule of the Appiani
The dominance of Pisa over the Tyrrhenian Sea, especially after its victory in the famous battle of the Balearic Islands in 1104, was not accepted by the Genoese who tried several times to attack Elba throughout the twelfth century. Under Pisa, Elba restarted its mining activities exporting iron and granite. In this period were built in Elba also the Churches of S. Stefano in Bagnaia, the apse of San Michele in Capoliveri and the Church of San Pietro e Paolo in San Piero in Campo.
At the end of the fourteenth century, the dynasty of Appiani, (Lords of Piombino, Pianosa and Montecristo), succeeded the Pisani and reigned in Elba until the mid-sixteenth century. Many invasion attempts were made by the Pirates and the Genoese in this historical period, but the defence fortresses of the island were kept under control and allowed the government to hold its power in time. The fortresses underwent many reparations to strengthen protection as the construction of the Giogo Fortress in Rio.
Marciana, became the headquarter of the Appian family, which lived a flourishing period. The Appiani's residence is still beautifully preserved inside the village, as well as the mint built below where coins were minted with the metal extracted from Elba's iron mines.
In the two years between 1501-1503, Elba was ruled by the Duke Valentino, but, thanks to an alliance with the kingdom of Naples, the Appiani family returned to rule the island. The period 1500-1538 was affected by many violent attacks by Turkish pirates under the command of the dreaded Khayr al-Din (Barbarossa) and his older brother Aruj. Elba still remembers the raid that destroyed Rio and Grassera, which caused the deportation of many prisoners to Tunis, later freed by an expedition of Charles V in 1535.
Meanwhile the kingdom of France had allied with the Moors, and Cosimo de' Medici begun to be interested about the small state of Piombino and the island of Elba, because of their strategic position as outposts over the Tyrrhenian Sea and to control the Mediterranean Sea. Barbarossa, allied with the kingdom of France and ordered an expedition departing from Constantinople towards the Tyrrhenian Sea. This was the right opportunity for the Florentines to send reinforcements to the state of Piombino.
In 1544 the fierce Pirate Barbarossa, after having dealt with the Appiani family the return of a young turkish prisoner, attacked violently the island, setting it on fire from Ferraja (Portoferraio) to Capoliveri, stopping only in front of the impenetrable Castle of Volterraio where in the meantime had taken refuge part of the population. This massacre persuaded the Appiani family to deal the return of the prisoner in exchange of Barbarossa's departure.
Later, the large financial resources of Cosimo de' Medici convinced Charles V to give them custody of the State of Piombino and Elba, despite the friendship between the Appiani family and the Spaniards.
Giove Tower
Today shows as a part of the in ruin castle in panoramic position close to Rio nell’Elba
Fortezza Pisana di Marciana
Ancient Fortress overlooking the village of Marciana, now a place for events and wedding party.
Foundry of Marciana
Ancient foundry, coins issued by rulers (Principi) Appiani and Ludovisi were forged here.
Torre degli Appiani
Ancient tower built by Giacomo Appiano V to defend the village of Rio Marina.
Saint Ilario Church
Situated in the historical center of Sant’Ilario, in the municipality of Campo nell’Elba.
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