Marciana Marina

Marciana Marina with her picturesque districts, small granite streets and pastel colored houses lining the sea shore is one of the smallest council districts in Italy.

The old fishing village of Cotone is particularly characteristic with old colorful houses decorating the cliff faces and boat moored on the beach out side the front door.

The extensive shoreline adorned with rows of tamarisks set an ideal scene for a relaxing stroll that will eventually lead us to the Cosimo I de Medici Tower. Built in the 16th century, this tower was vital to Marciana Marina's defence against the Saracean pirates. The antique tower has become an important landmark, a symbol for this town which evolved from her simple farming and fishing roots to become a popular tourist destination.

At one time tuna was the main catch on the island Tunny-fishing nets were located at various points around the coast: Linguella, Bagnaia, Enfola, Marciana Marina. The island produced and exported great quantities of salted tuna, tuna belly and processed roe.
The tuna entrails were consumed locally and were the basic ingredient for a dish known as “buzzamaglia” (stewed tuna and peas).

On 24 June 1958, the last tuna fish slaughter took place with a 22 ton haul. On 25 June an exceptionally strong current destroyed the tuna fishing equipment, which ended up in a tangle of nets and ropes, and brought tuna-fishing on the isle of Elba to an end.

Beaches: Baia della Caletta, La Fenicia (ghiaia), Redinoce (ghiaia)

Hamlets: Bagno, Le Sprizze.
Area: 5,76 Kmq.
Population: 1.960;
Altitude: 0/192 s.l.m.

up