The Legend of the Innamorata

Every 14 July Capoliveri re-enacts the legend of the Innamorata: a historical procession in costume winds through the village and, as evening falls, the Innamorata beach lights up with a thousand torches for the race between the districts and Maria's dive.

The legend

The story is set in 1534, when the coasts of Elba were raided by Barbarossa's pirates. Lorenzo and Maria, two young people from families of different social standing, used to meet in secret on the beach. One evening the corsairs seized Lorenzo; Maria, in despair, threw herself into the sea. All that remained of her was her shawl, caught on a rock that has since been called the Scoglio della Ciarpa, the rock of the shawl.

The evening of 14 July

• The historical procession: around a hundred performers in period dress, with musicians and drummers, parade through the lanes of Capoliveri.
• A thousand torches: the Innamorata beach is lit up with torches.
• The Disfida della Ciarpa: boats from the four districts – Fortezza, Baluardo, Fosso and Torre – compete in a rowing race; the winner is whoever seizes the shawl on the rock. At the climax of the evening a young woman playing Maria dives from the Scoglio della Ciarpa.
• After the race: fireworks, music and bonfires by the sea until late at night.

The re-enactment has been staged for more than forty years.

Tips for visitors

• Get to the beach well in advance to find a spot.
• Bring a torch and comfortable shoes: after the festival you head back in the dark.
• The beach is in the municipality of Capoliveri: staying nearby saves a long drive back at night.