Itinerari
The Granite Paths: An Open-Air Museum
Start from
San Piero
Length
9 Km
Time
3 hours (return)
Difficulty
Easy
The route, which is particularly interesting from a historical and archaeological point of view, runs along the south-eastern slopes of Monte Capanne. In this area there are several ancient granite artefacts and prehistoric sites, which can be seen from the path network.
The journey back in time starts in San Piero, where the last of the stonemasons are still extracting granite. From the large car park of the sports ground, take the flat path no. 195 on the left, which initially coincides with the access road to the granite quarries below. After the last quarry, leave the road and take path no. 133 on the right, which immediately has a short diversions (no. 133A) to Il Sasso, where there is a panoramic prehistoric site. Return to the main route until the junction with trail No. 135B, which turns right and heads north. In this area of low Mediterranean scrub, the most common species is the marine cistus, whose delicate white flowers and resinous leaves are rich in essential oils. As soon as you begin the ascent, you find yourself in front of four standing stones which give their name to this place, known as I Sassi Ritti. When you reach the flat path no. 135, turn left to the Mulino di Moncione, the largest mill on Elba, in use until 1910. From here you descend on path n. 134A where, with a diversion to the right, you can reach, in the locality of Lo Spino, a box tomb built with granite slabs, according to some, dating back to 900 BC. Retrace your steps and descend until you take path no. 133 on the left, where it is possible to observe the construction technique of a domolito, a small stone structure once used by shepherds. Turn back and continue downhill on path no. 134. A block of semi-finished granite can be seen along the way. The path continues downhill, where there is an unusual shepherd’s shelter, and crosses two other trails: path 134B to the “Cave Antiche”, where the various phases of granite extraction are visible, and path 134C to the “Macina”. Back on the main track, we descend again until we come to path no. 195, which we take to the right for a final diversions to path no. 195C, where we find an imposing hewn column belonging to the Opera della Primaziale Pisana, as can be seen from the inscription “OPE” on it. Finally, the trail goes back uphill and does not leave trail No. 195 until it returns to San Piero.
1ª tappa
The OPE Column
Just above the provincial road near the Hotel Bahia, this is an artefact about 7.80 m long and 0.90 m in diameter. It was abandoned along the slope, almost finished, probably because of a conspicuous flaking of the surface that occurred during the work. It was probably part of a batch of columns destined for the cathedral, commissioned by the "Opera Pisana" to replace eight columns in the nave that had been irreparably damaged by fire in 1595. The dimensions of the other columns match this one (14 Florentine arms in height and 6 and 1/6 in diameter).
2ª tappa
Villanovan tomb of Lo Spino
The tomb, which is passed on the way down the path, dates back to the Villanovan period (around 900 BC) and is built in the form of a box, using local granite.
3ª tappa
Moncione Mill
This is the largest mill on Elba, with the large water collection tank and the millstone for grinding grain still intact. It stands at 350 m above sea level and was operational until the early 1900s.
4ª tappa
Sassi Ritti
A series of four standing stones dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. A unique example of megalithic culture in the Tuscan Archipelago, they share similarities with Sardinian Nuragic culture, which can also be seen in the pottery found in nearby excavations from the same period.
5ª tappa
The Sasso
The foundations of a probable watchtower stand on a rocky spur and traces of prehistoric habitation have been found.