Country Hotel & Residence Pilade in Capoliveri, Island of Elba
Village of Capoliveri
Capoliveri is in a strategic position up on a hill, and looks on to the gulf of Porto Azzurro on one side, and the Stella gulf on the other; you can also see Monte Capanne in the distance.

The Commune of Capoliveri covers an area of 39.51 Km² with less than 3,000 inhabitants; most people live in the town centre, and it is only in these last decades that the town has grown in new areas outside the ancient town walls.

The whole town is at the top of an isolated ridge and was founded during the Etruscan-Roman age as a hill fortress in a strategically position from where it was possible to control both the Western and the Southern sea areas; from some higher places, it was possible to watch over even the Northern sea area and Portoferraio itself – called Fabricia by the Romans.

It is shaped like a ship with its prow towards the sea. The town was also known during the Latin age as “Capitis Ilvae” “Caput Liberum” and “Caput Liseri” or “Liveri”. This is one of the most interesting places on the island as regards Etruscan presence, due to the great economic importance of the iron mines and the trade the Rasenna – so the Etruscans called themselves – extended over their confederation’s frontier.

One of the most representative votive statuettes of that age, the “Offerer”, is contained at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples and was found out in the Profico necropolis, not very far from the town centre. Besides this one, we can observe a large number of ancient finds such as coins, fibulas, little vases and urns.

On July 14th, the “Festa dell’Innamorata” – Lovers’ Celebration – is held, and is one of the most important traditional feasts, and consists of a procession in medieval clothes that starts off at the town and goes right down to the Innamorata beach.

Market day: Tuesday morning.
Country Hotel & Residence Pilade a Capoliveri, Isola d’Elba
Village of Porto Azzurro
The Commune of Porto Azzurro has 3100 inhabitants, and is in a small inlet in the Gulf of Mola, once used as a natural port for the Tyrrhenian sea trade. It is the modern name for Portolongone, a sea town at the foot of a promontory with the Longone, or San Giacomo, Fortress at the top, built by Phillip II of Spain in 1563; the building is star shaped and in some way reminds you of the Antwerp castle.

The Saracens raided Portolongone for centuries, then it was ruled by the French, the Spaniards and by the Germans, and fought for by the great European powers until 1802; that same year it became part of the French territory.

In the beginning of the 16th century, it was the Spaniards, who, following the advice of the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria, decided to build a fortification on the eastern side of the gulf in order to close the bay.

Together with the ‘Focardo’ Fortress on the other side, this became the defensive system of the gulf, base of Filippo III’s fleet. This defensive system was made to contain the military raise of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, who, with the fortifications in Portoferraio, owned a strategic stronghold in the Tyrrhenian Sea , from which he was able to seriously endanger the Spanish interests in this part of the Mediterranean Sea. The village was under the reign of Naples in 1714 until 1801, when it was left in the hands of the French who occupied the whole of Tuscany.

In 1815, after the fall of Napoleon, it was again under the grand duchy of Tuscany, until the unification of Italy.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, together with Portoferraio and Marciana Marina, Porto Azzurro was one of the main fishing centers on the island, with many fishermen immigrating from Naples, Ponza and Genoa.

The small town center is very beautiful with its narrow uphill roads, stone houses, enchanting corners and squares, and the large, lively square that reflects on the sea in the harbour. There are three places you must go and see: The Madonna di Monserrato Sanctuary, whose name probably comes from the famous sanctuary in Barcelona, built during the 17th century by the Spanish governor y Leon. The painting of the Virgin in the Sanctuary is said to be an identical copy of the one in the Sanctuary in Spain with the same name. In the Fortress of San Giacomo, the prison headquarters, a Spanish fortress built during the 17th century there are very interesting handicrafts on sale.

The Spanish Church (Chiesa Spagnola) with a marble statue of the general Diego D’Alarcon We suggest an excursion from Porto Azzurro to the Terranera Lake and to Monserrato.

In the territory around the village, apart from the affluence of tourists, much land is used for the cultivation of fruits and wine, and all around you can admire beautiful cultivated fields, especially in the valleys of ‘Mola’, ‘Montserrato’ and ‘Reale’.

Market day: Saturday morning.
Country Hotel & Residence Pilade a Capoliveri, Isola d’Elba
Beaches
Our central position means you can get to many beaches on the south east of the Island in just a few minutes, whether you prefer a busy one with facilities or a quieter, more isolated one, the latter being more suitable if you wish to take your dog with you.
BEACH

Lido

the nearest beach to our hotel, which can also be reached on foot (distance 2 km). A 400 metre long sandy beach, where you can find all the beach facilities, as well as restaurants, a bar, a car park and the possibility of doing many water sports.
BEACH

Felciaio

2,5 km from the hotel; a 110 metre long sandy beach next to Lido beach; a beautiful, quiet beach with a tiny, natural port; Car park.
BEACH

Naregno

2,5 km from the hotel; A sandy beach 500 m long. Facilities include: restaurants, bars, car parks and watersports.
BEACH

Calanova

7 km from the hotel. A quiet, pebble beach 200 m long. To reach the beach you have to walk a short distance along a grit road. There is a good bar-restaurant and a car park.
BEACH

Liscoli

8 km from our hotel; little sandy beach 80 m long – after Calanova beach with a beautiful little pine grove at the back. No facilities.
BEACH

Zuccale

this quiet, 200 metre long, sandy beach is next to Barabarca beach. No facilities; carpark.
BEACH

Barabarca

5 km from the hotel; 150 m long sand and pebble beach. The same characteristics as those of Zuccale beach.
BEACH

Stecchi

sand and pebble beach, 120 metres long, 5 km from our hotel, not really easy to reach, but very, very quiet. There is a small bar.
BEACH

Lacona

8 km from the hotel – 1.160 metres long, so is Elba’s longest sandy beach. Here you can find every type of facility and as well as car parks.

BUOY FIELD OF

Mola

It offers moorings for boats from 4 to 16 m. The buoy field is located in a natural harbor sheltered from most winds. The buoy field is active from May to October. For our guests we offer the possibility of storing trolleys directly in the hotel.