August, 2017 - PORTOFERRAIO, ELBA, ITALY

We originally planned to stop at one of the anchorages at Capo Castello.  The ones on the S side were too crowded, the one on the N side had poor holding ans was too exposed to the wakes of the parade of passing ships and power boats.  So we carried on to Portoferraio.

Nelson is reported to call Portoferraio "the best small harbor" and it is very protected, with very good holding.  However, he did not have to put up with the constant ferry wake from dawn to after dusk and, when the wind was from the N their exhaust fumes.  We spent as much time as possible ashore.

Fortunately there is much to see.  Remains of Roman Villas.  Fortifications built by Cosmo Medici (Cosmopolitan is derived from his name).  Two small palaces occupied by Napoleon Bonaparte, while he was exiled here (one he designed and supervised the construction).

The main Roman Villa overlooks the harbor, but not much is left of the structure.

Cosmo Medici wanted to add a maritime empire to his family's considerable holdings.  The dream did not expand much beyond Elba.

The town rises steeply from the harbor.

The inner harbor from the Medici fort.

 

One of the many ferries.

Overlooking Napoleon's residence and the second fort

Napoleon's town residence.

Napoleon's summer residence.