Porto Azzurro

Porto Azzurro
Country	Italy
region	Tuscany
province	Livorno (LI)
Coordinates	42 ° 46 ' N , 10 ° 24' E Coordinates: 42 ° 46 '4 " N , 10 ° 23' 48" E
height	2 m slm
surface	13 km²
Residents	3,708 (Dec. 31, 2019)
Population density	285 inhabitants / km²
Post Code	57036
prefix	0565
ISTAT number	049013
Popular name	Longonesi, Portoazzurrini
Patron saint	San Giacomo; (July 26th)
Website	Porto Azzurro
	; Porto Azzurro from Monte Castello

Porto Azzurro is one of the seven municipalities on the island of Elba and at the same time the municipal capital with 3708 inhabitants (as of December 31, 2019). It belongs to the province of Livorno in Tuscany .

geography

The place is on the east coast of Elba in a bay, the Gulf of Mola. The neighboring municipalities are Capoliveri , Portoferraio and Rio .

history

The municipality only adopted the name Porto Azzurro ( "Blue Harbor" ), after the color of the sea, in 1947. Previously the place was called Longone and from 1873 Porto Longone.

Attractions

The fortress of San Giacomo di Longone (also called Forte Longone or Forte Beneventano ) was built during the period of Spanish rule. The star-shaped complex goes back to the time of the Spanish King Philip III. back and secured the Gulf of Mola. Today it serves as a prison and is not open to the public.
The Santuario della Madonna di Monserrato (Sanctuary of the Madonna of Montserrat) had the Spanish governor built in 1606. The name was taken from the Spanish Marian pilgrimage site of Montserrat . An altarpiece from the 17th century therefore also depicts the Madonna revered there. The architectural style shows influences from the Spanish baroque .
Thanks to the Tuscan Archipelago National Park , the waters off Porto Azzurro are under nature protection, which is why there are many species-rich dive sites . There are several diving centers and diving schools in Porto Azzurro .