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The iron Elba
Three thousand years of mines, from the Romans to 1981
About the Iron Elba itinerary
Etruscans, Romans and right through the 20th century: the mining of Elban iron shaped the island's history for three thousand years. The last mines on Monte Calamita closed only in 1981. Today the tunnels and mining sites can be visited as museum parks and tell an extraordinary geological and human story.
This itinerary covers the island's two mining areas (Rio Marina and the east, Capoliveri and Monte Calamita) and includes the mineral museum and a few black or red beaches coloured by the iron-rich earth.
The stops of Iron Elba
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Rio Marina Mining Park
The museum park, open since 1998, offers guided tours of the mine tunnels on foot or by underground train. You see hematite, magnetite, pyrite and limonite in the original veins. Suitable for children too.
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Monte Calamita (Capoliveri)
The mining heart of the south-east, active until 1981. The tunnels can be visited only on the Park's guided tours and tell the story of 19th and 20th century mining. Spectacular views over Capoliveri and the archipelago.
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"Alfeo Ricci" Mineral Museum (Rio)
A collection of mineral samples gathered by the collector Alfeo Ricci (1909-1988) in the Elban mines. A journey through the colours of the underground: shiny black hematite, golden pyrite, chalcedony, ilvaite (a mineral named after Ilva, the ancient name of Elba).
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Black and red beaches (Topinetti, Cala Seregola)
Along the mining coast of Rio Marina some beaches have black or rust-red sand because of iron residues. Topinetti and Cala Seregola are the most striking.
Opening hours, prices and openings can change with the season: check before you go.
Photos of Iron Elba
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