It's hard to find anywhere else in the middle of the sea which tells of a past so rich and tormented.
The first news of this island comes to us from remote times in which history and legend are solidly woven.
More recent history shows, however, that Elba's fate has always been determined by two main factors: its strategic geographical position and the wealth of minerals which lie in her earth. Because of these factors, Elba was often conquered by the various powers which bordered the Mediterranean.
For the Etruscans, she was an endless source of wealth, and the iron ore from Elba contributed to the prosperity of their civilisation.
The Romans also appreciated Elba for her iron, but even for her medicinal muds. In fact, the ruins of one of the two patrician villas found on the island are situated nearby the present day spa. In the Middle Ages, Elba was under the domain of Pisa. Some important and suggestive defence structures remain today to show us how important the possession of this island was.
The feudal state of the Appiani family was then followed by the control of Cosimo de'Medici who created his "Cosmopoli" (today Portoferraio) on the remains of the Roman "Fabricia". Enclosing the town with powerful walls, the inhabitants were then safe from pirate attacks.
The Spanish established themselves in Porto Azzurro and also set out to defend the territory by constructing the solemn Fort St. Giacomo which even today, as a penitentiary, towers over the lively town.
Even the English, the Germans, and the French were interested in Elba and challenged each other through diplomacy and arms to gain control of the island. Coming to a more recent past, the historical period which made Elba famous and saw her as the stage for events which effected the western world was the brief exile of Napoleon, who stayed here 10 months before his 100 day return.
Bonaparte left a significant mark on this minute kingdom. (In fact, he was recognised as the sovereign of Elba, not as a simple prisoner as he was in Saint Helena).
Elba is rich in memories of her tormented past: archaeological finds, military structures, Napoleon's residences, and then, under the sea along the coastline, the remains of ships that transported Elba's wine in the most important Mediterranean centres. Elba not only offers interesting finds for historians and archaeologists therefore, but also for those who simply like to browse among treasures, testimony of the past.