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| ITINERARIES OF ELBATUTTANATURA |
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ARCHEO TREK
Leave the town of Marciana from the lower level near the 16th century gate by the main church. The route is marked no. 3 and crosses the town upwards by means of a stepped alley. In the upper village, there are two noteworthy buildings: the archaeological museum (which houses finds from prehistoric, Etruscan, and Roman times) and the Pisan Fortress. Both are found along the route which heads towards "Madonna del Monte". Having left the village, the route up to the Sanctuary of Madonna del Monte follows a wide, mildly steep trail paved stone steps. Along the side, there are the Stations of the Cross positioned in characteristic shrines. The place is rich in historic interest: Napoleon Bonaparte himself stayed here in August 1814 secretly meeting his lover Maria Walewska and her son Alexander. It is thought that the panoramic position of this area opposite nearby Corsica, his birthplace, was for Napoleon an inspiration in planning his future escape and attempt to regain power. The sanctuary is famous for the quality and freshness of its spring fountains and for the recent discovery of an affresco of Sodoma on one of its interior walls. The area surrounding the sanctuary is rich in archaeological evidence of a prehistoric period when the area was inhabited by a Ligurian-Appenine type population of primarily herding nature. To discover caves and other types of shelters, including dolmen and herders' huts, you must continue north for a few hundred metres beyond the Sanctuary until you reach the rock formation called "L'Aquila" (the Eagle). Another area which is interesting for the presence of herders' huts and other stone shelters is that of Serraventosa, about one kilometre towards the west. Equally interesting is the summit of Mount Giove (Jove), reached from Serraventosa along a trail that follows the crest. Mount Giove (855 mt.) is one of the most beautiful view points of the entire island. Furthermore, there are many interesting rock formations in this area weathered into sculptures that remind us of both human and animal-like monsters. From Mount Giove, you descend towards the Sanctuary. Follow trail no. 3 downwards for about 700 metres and then trail no. 13 until you reach the main paved road in the area called "Zanca". From here, use the old mule track to descend to the sea at Cape St. Andrea.
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Rediscovering
the ancient ethnic roots of the Elban Mountains
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