A whole area waiting to be discovered
A whole area waiting to be discovered
Volterraio Castle
Rising up behind Bagnaia, perched on a rocky outcrop, Volterraio Castle dominates the landscape: an ancient Etruscan fortress never conquered over the centuries, now a stone sentinel suspended between sky and sea, visible from much of the Gulf of Portoferraio.
The castle can be visited with a guided tour lasting around two hours, combining a hike with entry to the fortress alongside a Park Guide, or, without booking, with just a visit to the site itself. At sunset the experience becomes even more striking, with the light catching the stone and the view awash with evening colours. Get in touch for more information.
Rio Marina, the capital of iron
On Elba’s eastern side, Rio Marina holds a surprising story: that of an island that, for three thousand years, also lived off its mines. Here, among rocks that shift from blood red to ochre yellow, stretches the Mining Park of Elba Island, an area of huge geological and historical value.
The starting point for exploring it is the Museum of Minerals and Mining Art, housed in the 18th-century Palazzo del Burò, once home to the management offices of Elba’s mines. Inside, you’ll find a collection of minerals of rare beauty, alongside faithfully reconstructed mining environments. Guided tours to the open-air mining areas also set off from the museum, aboard the charming little train, letting you experience the atmosphere of these old worksites up close.
the Archaeological Museum of the Mining District
A few kilometres away, in the nearby village of Rio nell’Elba, a second museum completes the story of the area: the Archaeological Museum of the Mining District. Here the history stretches back even further, to the 3rd millennium BC, with grave goods found in the San Giuseppe cave and Etruscan and Roman evidence linked to iron mining. The museum sits in a modern building with views over the sea and Monte Giove, where traces of the old mines can still be spotted today.
For those keen to visit both museums, a combined ticket is available: one more reason to delve into a lesser-known but equally fascinating chapter of Elba’s history, beyond the sea.
