Rio nell'Elba
Rio dell'Elba is one of the eight municipalities on the island of Elba, and at the same time municipal main town with 1181 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012). It belongs to the province of Livorno in the Tuscany region.
Location
The municipality is located in the northwest of the eastern headland of the island. The municipality covers 17 km ², which corresponds to a population density of 74 inhabitants / km ². The neighboring communities are Porto Azzurro, Portoferraio and Rio Marina.
The main town of the municipality lies on both sides of a mostly dry lying river valley, which runs in NW- SE direction, according SO expensive. The oldest part is on the NO side of the valley. It is characterized by narrow streets and steep stairways, typical of a mountain village. The central square is the Piazza del Popolo ( People's Square ) with the mighty parish church, dedicated to the Apostle James and the martyrs Cyriacus.
Origin of the name
Derr name derives from the Latin rivus means the river. The through the narrow valley meandering stream has operated in the 19th century with his then still plenty of fresh water for numerous water mills. It flows into Rio Marina to the sea.
History
First mention learned the community as Comune Rivi in 1260. Then The area belonged to the mining district of eastern Elba and was assigned to the then neighboring town Grassera. Rio suffered in 1534 a violent night raid on the instructions of Khair ad-Din Barbarossa, whose Grassera was destroyed in the course. Especially important were then the Statuta Rivi (ie statutes of Rio), which governed the social life of the country since the 16th century.
Transport links
Rio dell'Elba is connected via good roads with Porto Azzurro in the south, Rio Marina on the east, the coastal and beach Cavo town in the north and the seaside resorts Maggazzini and Bagnaia on the west coast of the headlands over Portoferraio. The local transport reached the place with intercity buses.
Attractions
- Worth seeing is the place to be with its narrow streets, steep stairs and small Piazzetta.
- The Parish Church of San Giacomo Apostolo Chiesa dei Santi Giacomo Apostolo or e Quirico as the center of the village was built in the 11th century under the rule of Pisa and learned in the course of time numerous reinforcements, which were to serve their protection. The defense walls from the 16th century can still be seen. The three naves are of medieval origin.
- Trinity Church ( Chiesa del Patreterno e della Santissima Trinità ): It was built in the 15th century and, like most religious buildings in Elba, in the 18th century, renovated. Inside, a canvas with the presentation of the Crucified One with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, which earned her the additional patronage of the Trinity. In the choir you see a painting of the Madonna del Carmine ( Our Lady of Mount Carmel ) with the St. Paul and St. Anthony, which originally belonged to the Brotherhood of St Anthony.
- Torre del Giove (Jupiter - tower), was built from 1459 warning of pirate raids. The construction was carried out at the request of Jacopo III. Appiano overlooking the channel of Piombino and the mining hinterland. Many a time was from here the defense of the two neighboring towns of Rio and Grassera. During an attack by the soldiers of Turgutreis in 1553 the fortress had a tower with a square base with three floors and was surrounded by a moat. Until 1960, was on the ground just east of the fortress stone coat of arms of the noble family of APPIANI.
- The ancient wash house
- Castello del Volterraio remains of Castells in the southwest of the main town with impressive views of the Gulf of Portoferraio, Monte Capanne, altitude 409 m.
Impressions
- Parish Church of San Giacomo Apostolo
Affairs
Southern View
- Additional points of interest
Altstadtgasse
Old Wash House
Overall view
Castle ruins Volterraio
View from Volterraio the Gulf of Portoferraio
Views of the fishing harbor and the beach of Cavo (in the background )