Hotels 
Apartments 
Residences 
Villas 
Farmhouse 
Bed&Breakfast 
Camping sites 
Agencies 
Campo nell'Elba 
Rio 
Capoliveri 
Marciana 
Portoferraio 
Porto Azzurro 
Marciana Marina 
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.
Elbaworld suggests
What to visit
Discover places and attractions nearby.
Recommended excursions
Discover incredibly beautiful excursions on Elba Island.
