Rio Marina

Reached from Piombino in only 40 minutes by ferry, Rio Marina is situated in the heart of the mining area and sheltered by the mountain from which iron was once extracted. It is characterized by the reddish color of the iron oxide that tints the mountains, the erosion from the mining, the open sky and the ancient houses, some of which were built right inside the, by now, exhausted mines. The town Rio Marina was created in 1882 with the obtainment of administrative autonomy from Rio nell''Elba. Worth visiting in the city center is the oratory of San Rocco, built in the 16th century by the Prince of Piombino and easily reached from the overlooking public gardens, and the octagonal tower, built by the Appians in the first part of the 1500''s. Also worth a visit: THE ELBAN MINERAL MUSEUM: Gennai Tonietti collection furnished by the miners, and located in the city hall, there are exhibits of historical documents related to mining as well as beautiful samples of minerals found on the islands, some of notable rarity and beauty. ISLE OF ELBA MINERAL PARK: a great natural example that allows visitors to see cultivation and extraction techniques, techniques for working with the crude minerals, the plants and machinery, as well as an illustration of the evolution over time of technologies in mining engineering.