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Archaeological walks on the island of Elba

A new way of enjoying nature, reading the signs left behind over time

For those who love nature, history and art, here is a new and exciting adventure. Archaeological walks are nothing more cultural strolls, in which the history of the area is rediscovered through the archaeology of its landscape. Capo Sant’Andrea, the north-western tip of Elba, is not only renowned for its breathtaking seabeds and its thriving forests, but also for its artistic and cultural heritage from the past. There are still visible signs here of the ancient people who lived in the area, from prehistoric times to the Greeks age. Medieval places and those from more recent times can both be seen here: fortresses, military architecture and Napoleonic residences. All the signs of a civilisation dating back thousands of years are on view.

Comfortable shoes, layered clothing, a backpack for supplies and a map of the pathways is all that is needed for a journey along the ancient roads of Elba. With an expert, or even alone, with an excellent guidebook at hand, one can visit the old granite mule tracks, paths immersed in the Mediterranean forest and, for the more physically fit, steep climbs up to the highest peaks on the island.

One of the proposed itineraries is that from the medieval hamlet of Marciana, where the Archaeological Museum, with artefacts form prehistoric, Etruscan and Roman times, and the fortress are worth visiting, climbs up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Mountain, along a route rich in historical references, mainly from Napoleonic times. Stopping here provides a dream-like view, stretching all the way to Corsica, and the possibility of a moment’s reflection in one of the chapels along the pathway like the Stations of the Cross. The Sanctuary is famous for the purity and freshness of its waters and for the finding of a fresco attributed to Il Sodoma, is located in an area rich in prehistoric heritage: dolmens, goat pens, caves and shelters used by people dedicated to farming. The more physically fit can climb up to the peak of Monte Giove (855 m), from where the most beautiful views on the island can be seen, where the rocks, carved by the wind, have taken on astonishing human forms. The itinerary is downhill from here, and leads back to the crystalline sea at Capo Sant’Andrea, on an old stone mule track.

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