Porto Azzurro

Porto Azzurro is one of the eight municipalities on the island of Elba, and at the same time municipal main town with 3885 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012). It belongs to the province of Livorno in Tuscany.

Geography

The place is situated on the east coast of Elba in a bay, the Gulf of Mola. The neighboring municipalities are Capoliveri, Portoferraio, Rio Marina and Rio dell'Elba.

History

The name Porto Azzurro ( "Blue Harbour " ), according to the color of the sea, the municipality took until 1947 to. Previously it was known as Longone and from 1873 Porto Longone.

Traffic

From Porto Azzurro to operate until 2008 Ferries to Piombino - the ferry service was discontinued, however. The place is mainly dominated by tourism. In the countryside and farming is done.

Attractions

• The fortress of San Giacomo di Longone (also Longone Forte or Forte Beneventano called ) was built in the period of Spanish rule. The star-shaped system goes back to the time of the Spanish King Philip III and secured the Gulf of Mola. Today it serves as a prison and is not publicly available.
• The Santuario della Madonna di Monserrato ( Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat ) was set up in 1606 the Spanish governor. The name was taken over by the Spanish Marian shrine of Montserrat. An altarpiece from the 17th century is therefore also there venerated Madonna dar. The style shows influences of the Spanish Baroque.

Pictures

Piazza Matteotti