Area Archeologica della Linguella

Elba

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The 16th-century Torre del Martello was where Napoleon was 'imprisoned' at the start of his fleeting exile on Elba in 1814 and the russet-red, hexagonal tower remained a prison until 1877. It and the archaeological ruins next door (part of a luxurious Roman villa known as 'La Linguella' built between the 1st and 5th centuries AD) are now part of this museum. Also of interest are terracotta friezes from the Villa de Romana delle Grotte in the main museum building.

In summer, an outdoor cinema is held in the internal courtyard here.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Underground chamber tombs carved into the sandstone, Etruscan Necropolis of the Caves, Populonia. They all date back to the Hellenistic period (4th - 2nd century BC).

    Parco Archeologico di Baratti e Populonia

    15.37 MILES

    The Etruscan sites on display here are some of Tuscany's finest. Four marked walking trails lead through a vast green park, revealing a ruined town and…

  • Exterior view of Napoleon's Villa di San Martino.

    Museo Villa Napoleonica di San Martino

    3.15 MILES

    Napoleon personally supervised the transformation of what had been a large farmhouse in the hills 5km southwest of Portoferraio into an elegant villa…

  • Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano

    Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano

    11.43 MILES

    The Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano safeguards the delicate ecosystems of Elba's seven islands as well as the 600 sq km of sea that washes around…

  • Parco Archeominerario di San Silvestro

    Parco Archeominerario di San Silvestro

    23.08 MILES

    The area's 3000-year mining history is explored at this intriguing industrial site in Campiglia Marittima, approximately 10km inland from San Vincenzo…

  • Forte Falcone

    Forte Falcone

    0.33 MILES

    Portoferraio's loftiest highest hill is crowned by this largely intact, 16th-century fort (1548) – a key point, together with Fort Stella and Torre del…

  • Santuario della Madonna del Monte

    Santuario della Madonna del Monte

    9.18 MILES

    To enjoy an invigorating 40-minute hike, head up through Marciana along Via della Madonna to reach this much-altered hilltop chapel with its 13th-century…

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Nearby Elba attractions

1. Teatro dei Vigilanti

0.24 MILES

This 17th-century church-turned-theatre was one of the grandest, most elaborate churches in Portoferraio when it was constructed in 1618. The Chiesa del…

3. Forte Stella

0.3 MILES

The salmon-pink Star Fort, so called due to its shape, is one of Portoferraio's defining hilltop forts. It was commissioned by Cosimo l de' Medici and…

5. Forte Falcone

0.33 MILES

Portoferraio's loftiest highest hill is crowned by this largely intact, 16th-century fort (1548) – a key point, together with Fort Stella and Torre del…

6. Villa Romana delle Grotte

0.76 MILES

About 5km out of Portoferraio town, wander through the ruins of this 1st-century-BC Roman villa overlooking the sea at Punta delle Grotte and you will be…

7. Museo Villa Napoleonica di San Martino

3.15 MILES

Napoleon personally supervised the transformation of what had been a large farmhouse in the hills 5km southwest of Portoferraio into an elegant villa…