Portoferraio

Portoferraio is a common of the Province of Leghorn in the area Toscane in Italy.

Geography

Portoferraio - name of the Fer that the Étrusque S exploited, then the Romains - with some ten thousand inhabitants on an insular population of approximately 28 000 inhabitants, is the greatest agglomeration of the isle of Elba and its most important port.

History

Portoferraio is created by the will of Cosme Ier. The city is named, moreover, “Cosmopoli” in 1548. The city is designed like military platform to defend the coasts of the large duke of Tuscany and the isle of Elba. The city, in the beginning, is right only one whole of military constructions (still well preserved today) like the three forts: Strong Stella, Strong Falcone and Forte Inglese. A very beautiful wall enclosure, in perfect state still today, surrounds the historical center of Portoferraio.

The city remains under the control of the large duke of Tuscany until the end of the 18th century. The island is, by its strategic position, in the middle of a war between France, Austria and England. In 1814, the island is the first place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte who settles in Portoferraio. It is thanks to the presence of the Emperor, even short (May 3rd, 1814 - February 26th, 1815, 300 days), that Portoferraio, like the remainder of the island besides, experiences an important development. Infrastructures are created and the iron ore of Rio Marina is emphasized. At that time, the transport of the iron of the island towards the continent passes by the port of Portoferraio, from where its current name. Prosperity due to the ore perdure until the beginning of the Seventies, beginning of the crisis of the industry of iron. Quickly the mines are closed (the last in 1981), but Portoferraio, thanks to the beauty of its beaches, can be recycled in the industry of tourism, which, today, represents the independent source of incomes.

Economy

Culture

Commemorative event

Festivals, fairs -->

Administration

Hamlets

San Giovanni, Schiopparello, Magazzini, Ottone, Carpani, Bagnaia, San Martino, Biodola, Viticcio, insulated di Montecristo

Communes bordering

Campo nell' Elba, Capoliveri, Marciana, Oporto Azzurro, Rio nell' Elba

Twinnings

Photograph gallery

See too

External bonds -->

Roa-tared: Portoferraio

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