The myth narrates that the seven islands of the Archipelago Toscano had origin when Venus Tirrénica arose from waters and diadema of per those was broken that its front adorned. Of per those that fell on the surface of the sea these seven beautiful islands were born: Elbe, Giglio, Capraia, Giannutri, Gorgona, Montecasino and Pianosa.
Of these islands, single Elbe, Giannutri, Giglio and a part of Capraia can be visited. Gorgona welcomes a penitentiary institute and, until recently time also the islands of Capraia and Pianosa were destined to jails of Maxima sicureza.
The island of Montecristo, however, constitutes a natural reserve whose access is allowed single to experts and students.
The island of Elbe is a jewel of the volcanic nature of origin that is characterized by its splendid beaches and Monte Capanna, the tip upper of the island than it has more than 1000 meters of height.
From the archaeological point of view, the itineraries that the tourist can follow are several: from the Roman villas of the I century to the footpaths of the Neolithic period drawn up by the shepherds of the antiquity. Also the pisanas churches of century XI are numerous that are in the island: the medieval Tower of San Giovanni in Field, castles (as the Maniero I gave Volterraio) and the strength of Martian. However, the center of Portoferraio, true jewel of the city-planning military man, belongs to the time of the later medicea domination.
During the brief Napoleonic period buildings were constructed, streets and a theater where the Napoleonic style is recognized.
It cannot lack a visit to Porto Azzurro, the worldly hall the island with the imposing Forte San Giacomo constructed by the Spaniards in century XVII and the near Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Monserrato. The visit to the Piccola Miniera (Small Mine) in the Marine highway of River is very interesting. Here it is possible to be observed as one worked in the mine, with trenecillo, the carts and all the necessary one for the mining extraction.
The island of Elbe is a rich, varied and very delicate ecosystem in which species live very special animals and vegetables. On 1989 the greater Marine Park of Europe was based to protect the biodiversity and the valuable natural patrimony of the island. The objective of the park is not single the one to protect the present ecosystems but also the one to safeguard the migratory flows of different species from birds that travel between Europe and Africa. The Archipelago Toscano occupies of emerged 60,000 hectares of sea and 18,000 earth. The best time to enjoy these islands and their natural wonders is without a doubt the spring and the autumn, far from the tourist station of the summer.
In these periods, when the presence of tourists is smaller, it is possible to be sailed with tranquillity in the archipelago and to discover very suggestive landscapes, to go to horse, to take a walk by beaches or to practice windsurf, guard or trekking. Finally, in this island you will be able to find beaches wonderful, of fine sand and with waters I am transparent that they change of color in each cove where still can be swum between the fish.