Marciana – Monte Capanne, Fortress and Historic Streets

Marciana combines its location on the slopes of Monte Capanne with a townscape that has preserved to this day an architectural character typical of a medieval village. The hilltop settlement, located at 375 metres above sea level, is characterised by densely packed houses that almost resemble defensive walls, as well as by numerous granite-paved lanes. If you would like to combine nature, history and different daily rhythms on your trip, you will find distinctive paths and an unusually dense sequence of cultural and historical themes here.

To Monte Capanne: hiking trail or cable car

The Sentiero Elba No. 101 leads from Marciana to Monte Capanne. The trail is 3.6 km long, the average walking time is 2 hours and 45 minutes, and the difficulty level is EE. The Sentiero Elba No. 101 is considered the most important and easiest route to the summit of Monte Capanne. For the choice between climbing and taking a mountain ride, the Marciana-Monte Capanne cable car offers another form of access: it reaches the vicinity of the summit in 18 minutes. Its lower station is located in Località Pozzatello in Marciana.

The Romitorio di San Cerbone can also be reached from Marciana Alta via Sentiero No. 101. The path leads through chestnut forests and along lively streams. The history of the hermitage is traced back to the 6th century; it was first mentioned in writing in 1421. Another path leads from Marciana to the Santuario della Madonna del Monte: the sanctuary can be reached on foot in about 30 minutes via the medieval, paved Via Pomontinca.

Fortress, Museums and the History of Coinage

The Fortezza Pisana was built in the 12th century by the Republic of Pisa and modified in the 15th century with four bastions featuring arrowhead-shaped masonry. Its ramparts offer views from the upper bastions extending from Marciana Marina across Enfola and Portoferraio, with Piombino and Monte Capanne in the background. The history of the fortress is therefore just as much a part of the townscape as the paved lanes.

The Museo Civico Archeologico di Marciana was the first museum institution on Elba and provides a historical overview from the Palaeolithic to the 18th century. It is housed in a room of the town's former Praetorian Palace. A more narrowly defined period is presented by the Museo Didattico Numismatico della Zecca: the collection comprises coins minted in the Principality of Piombino between the 16th and 17th centuries. The museum is located on the ground floor of the Palazzo Appiani in Marciana, in the “ZECCA” area, where a numismatic exhibition has been established.

Churches, Landscape and Regional Tradition

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Caterina was built in the 16th century on the site of an older chapel dedicated to Santa Maria; the latter was incorporated into the new building. The Pieve di San Lorenzo is located on the SP 34, the so-called “civillina” road, approximately halfway between Marciana and Poggio. In addition, the Casa del Parco in Marciana offers educational exhibitions on the terrestrial and marine flora and fauna of the area.

The sixth edition of the Settimana delle castagne also included traditional festivals such as the Festa d’Autunno in Marciana and the Castagnata in Poggio, as well as excursions, walks, music, theatre and cultural gatherings. For your further selection of locations, you can visit ChiessiChiessi, La GuardiaLa Guardia, Marciana MarinaMarciana Marina, ProcchioProcchio, PomontePomonte and PoggioPoggio. Porto AzzurroPorto Azzurro and Rio MarinaRio Marina are also available.

To the higher-level travel overview: Elba.