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Campo nell'Elba 
Rio 
Capoliveri 
Marciana 
Portoferraio 
Porto Azzurro 
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.
Elbaworld suggests
What to visit
Discover places and attractions nearby.
Recommended excursions
Discover incredibly beautiful excursions on Elba Island.
