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Island of Elba Napoleon in Elba
Elba Island is renowned, in Italy and worldwide, for both its beauty and its richness in minerals. Moreover, the fame of the island is also bound to a name in history, that of Napoleon Bonaparte. Elba has been for Napoleon a brief exile, although very important. He stayed and ruled for ten months, from May 3, 1814, to February 26, 1815, in which night he escaped from Elba during a masquerade carnival party. Napoleone, wishful to reconquer the throne of France (lasted only 100 days), met his definitive defeat with the destructive battle of Waterloo which granted him a second exile on the island of Saint Helena located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Napoleon came to Elba after the disastrous Russian Campaign ended with his defeat in Leipzig. The Napoleonic period, though brief, left Elba important evidences as the two major Museums of Napoleonic Residences located in Portoferraio (Villa San Martino and Villa dei Mulini). The two buildings were his residences: Villa dei Mulini (located in the old town of Portoferraio) and Villa San Martino (large and surrounded by greenery, a few kilometers from Portoferraio towards Procchio - Marina di Campo). Napoleon left also important paintings and books, in addition to the splendid Vigilanti Theatre.
The arrival of Napoleon on Elba
On March 31, 1814 the united forces of England, Prussia, Russia and Austria broke into Paris and Napoleon was forced to sign the act of abdication. The Treaty of Fontainebleau of 11 April assigned him both the Princedom of Elba Island and an annual pension of two million francs. In 1814 the General Delesme became the governor of Elba with a garrison of less than 500 soldiers.
In the same historical period, the mine of Rio was stalled for months due to the inability to transport the ore out of the village. After the Napoleonic wars, the return in Elba of few veterans together with a climate of uncertainty following the defeat and abdication of Napoleon, caused the confusion of the military garrisons, fomenting hostile sentiments against the French. In April 1814 was delivered a dispatch from the Minister of War Dupont informing Dalesme, General Commander of the Elba Island, that the events occurred in the French government were caused by the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte in favor of the Emperor of the French. The dispatch contained also the orders to leave the command of Portoferraio to the exiled Napoleon at his landing on Elba.
General Dalesme worried about the reaction of the Elba islanders ordered disarmament; even Napoleon, who arrived in the harbor on May 3 aboard the frigate "Undaunted" under the command of Usher, was not sure about the islanders reaction.
In fact, he first sent a proclaim to the attention of the population with the dispatch of a personally designed flag of Elba, white with a red stripe, inspired by the Grand Ducal merchant flag, to which were added three golden bees. Even the colors of the French cockade were later replaced with the new colors. At first Napoleon landed secretly in Magazzini for a quick inspection and only the following day (May 4, 1814 at 15:30) he landed in Portoferraio's harbor on Molo Elba.
Against any concerns, the islanders welcomed him with enthusiasm. On his landing, which took place in front of the Porta a Mare, Napoleon received the keys of the town by Maire Traditi who, together with the authorities, accompanied him to the parish church celebrating the Te Deum by the general Vicar of the island, Monsignor Arrighi. Napoleon, after having stayed for eight nights in the uncomfortable rooms of the Biscotteria (headquarter of the administration), decided to renovate some administrative buildings for his accommodation; these were situated between Fort Stella and Fort Falcone, the current complex Villa dei Mulini. Bonaparte was living on the ground floor, while the top floor and the small theatre were often used to entertain the local bourgeoisie playing cards and enjoying a small orchestra in the evenings. Also, during the Napoleon's exile were organized some popular public events, such as the one that took place on August 16, which included a horse race, a public dance and fireworks.
Napoleon's Lifestyle in Elba
Napoleon and his days in Elba during his exile lasted 10 months.
The departure of Napoleon
Napoleon leaves Elba on February 26, 1815 at 16:00 after a permanence in the island lasted about 10 months.
Mother Letizia Romolino
Always on the side of her son during his glorious path, she met him during his exile on Elba.
Sister Paolina
Life of Sister Paolina Borghese during Napoleon's exile in Elba.
The lover Maria Walewska Laczynska
Lover of Napoleon, with who she had a son, made a fleeting visit of the emperor in exile on Elba.
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