Napoleon on holiday

Marciana
Napoleon on holiday
img-marciana

From Marciana to the 'Madonna del Monte' sanctuary

We will reach the sanctuary of the 'Madonna del Monte', the most important mountain sanctuary on the island. We will encounter the hermitage that hosted the summer stay of exiled Napoleon where, amidst the peace of the chestnut grove and the isolation of the mountain, the meeting between the emperor and his Polish lover took place. An itinerary on the north-western slope of Monte Capanne, to discover the chestnut grove and its importance in the rural economy of the area. As we follow the route, we can observe the particular forms of erosion of the granite, which over the millennia have modelled the rocks into unmistakable shapes such as the 'Eagle Rock'. the 'Boulder Man', the 'Moor's Head'. After refuelling at the very cool spring in the exedra of the sanctuary, the route will continue, with the possibility of catching sight of some mouflons and birds of prey in flight, towards the panoramic terrace over Corsica of "Serraventosa" and from there on the way back.

Difficulty

Easy

Type

Suitable for families

Estimated duration

90 minutes

Distance

5.6 km

Recommended departure

Any

Look at the track

Explore the 360-degree path

Mines of Rio Marina

Strategic location for the large amount of hematite and limonite immediately identified by the emperor as soon as he landed on the island as a strategic-military axis.

Location: Rio Marina

Paolina Beach

The beach is named after the islet a few meters from the shore, itself named after Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister who, according to a legend (probably created by a tourism entrepreneur in the 1960s) loved to sunbathe on these rocks.

Location: Marciana

San Martino Villa

Designated as a summer residence, Napoleon purchased the property from the Manganaro family in 1814, with the intention of transforming it into a comfortable and refined abode that would have nothing to envy from Parisian residences.

Location: Località San Martino (Portoferraio)

Mulini Villa

Built in 1724 by Grand Duke Gaston de’ Medici, it was Napoleon’s city residence during his first stay on Elba Island.

Location: Portoferraio

Sanctuary of Monserrato

It was built as a sign of gratitude in 1606 by José Pons y León of the Dukes of Arcos, Spanish governor of Naples and first governor of the square of Longone (part of the state of principals). In September 1814 Napoleon, accompanied by Pons and Bertrand wanted to visit the sanctuary.

Location: Località Monserrato (Portoazzurro)

MUM Mineralogical Museum

While the Elban economy today is based on tourism, the fact remains that the people of San Piero and the west coast (Pomonte) have also lived and continue to live off their granite and marble

Location: San Piero in Campo

Port and Tower of Marciana Marina

Visit the harbor where Maria Walewska landed and the armed watchtower visited by Napoleon himself in 1814

Location: Marciana Marina