Point of Interest
Medici Fortresses
Orari
Open every day from Easter to November:
- From 29 March: 9:30 - 18:30
- From 12/06 to 10/09: 9.30 to 20.00
Dove
Portoferraio, Isola d'Elba
Contatti
info@visitaportoferraio.com
tel 0565919844
www.visitaportoferraio.com
A walk through the magnificent architectural complex designed to defend the town by Cosimo de’ Medici is a unique experience, revealing charming hidden corners and views of all kinds over the town of Portoferraio.
Anyone arriving from the sea will not fail to be impressed by these massive structures which dominate the entire skyline of Portoferraio.
The project for the construction of the fortresses began to take shape in 1548, under the direction of the architects Bellucci and Camerini, later joined by Bernardo Buontalenti.
Their design created a defensive complex perfectly suited to the lie of the land in the area: the structure overall climbs from the Porta di Terra, or Land Gate, to the majestic Forte Falcone.
To defend it against the attacks of enemies and bloodthirsty pirates, Cosimo de’ Medici insisted that the town must be equipped with impeccable fortifications, and its defensive architecture made it an impregnable outpost for the protection of the entire Mediterranean.
Thanks to this project and these ingenious, strategic fortifications, Portoferraio was the only town on the island to withstand the attacks of the dreaded pirate Dragut in 1553.
The set of fortifications makes up the “Fronte d’attaco” or “Attack front”, which defended the military city so well against invasion from land or sea for so long.
The Medici ramparts, Forte Falcone, Forte Stella and the Linguella were subsequently enlarged and used as barracks and look-out points for monitoring marine traffic.
Today they can be explored in a walk of about 500 metres that provides wonderful sea views.
The Medici Fortresses are today a destination for suggestive walks to admire views of all kinds on the city immersed in the illustrious history of Cosmopoli.
In 2023, in a setting of exceptional value, the former Buontalentian gunboat, was opened to the public the “Spazio Bolano. From shapes to soul” in which was set up the collection of ceramic works that the master of Elba Italo Bolano had generously donated to his city, entrusting the administration with the task of creating a new exhibition space with new opportunities especially for children and for the schools.
The overall project, entitled Italo Bolano Open Access: innovative strategies for accessibility, was the winner of the PAC2021 – Plan for Contemporary Art, promoted by the Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture.
The project was selected among the only 4 winners throughout Italy for section IV – Valorization of donations.
As messengers over time, these works of art that can synthesize his artistic production from the 70s to 2019, launch a message to the city and a wish for a modern renewal that has been translated through the creation of an innovative setting, using modern digital technologies for social inclusion and museum accessibility.
Inside the exhibition space it is possible to access, through simple QR code with multilingual audio guides, video guides with the Italian Sign Language, augmented reality that animates historical portraits making them speaking, a cartoon whose protagonist is the island artist, tools to support the visit that make this place a starting point towards a further enhancement of the city museum circuit and the territory of Elba as a whole.
The project, curated by Valentina Anselmi, director of the Museum System of the Tuscan Archipelago, was carried out in collaboration with the Department of Civilization and Forms of Knowledge of the University of Pisa (LIMES and MUSEIA Laboratories) through the provision of two research grants/ assignments for historical researchers of art for the study and cataloging of works, and with the Italo Bolano Ets Foundation.
Spazio Bolano. From forms to the soul is a project through which to address to all, young and old, a warm invitation to rediscover the artistic heritage, with the gaze turned towards the intense blue of the sea that reminds us so much of Italo and his art.
has also been realized a bilingual publication “Italo Bolano. From shapes to soul” (Edizione Immagine, 2023)
Info
Tickets
Single ticket:
Full ticket € 7.00
Reduced ticket € 5.00
Cosmopolis Card:
(cumulative Forte Falcone/Fortresses, Pinacoteca, Teatro dei Vigilanti and Villa Romana delle Grotte)
- Full price € 20.00
- Reduced price € 15.00
- Family € 15.00 per person (minimum 3 people)
Free ticket:
- Children up to the age of 8;
- handicapped persons and one accompanying person;
- Residents of Portoferraio;
- Schools in the Portoferraio schools;
- tourist guides in the exercise of their professional activity;
- Journalists with membership cards;
- ICOM members
Reduced price:
- children aged between 9 and 18;
- groups and schools, min. 15 persons;
- university students holding a registration;
- Over 70,
- Holders of "Elba mobility pass" tickets of Autolinee Toscane;
- Holders of EdumuseiCard
How to get there
The entrance of the Medici Fortresses is located at the end of Via Guerrazzi, in the historic center of Portoferraio, commonly called the "Porta a Terra" precisely because it leads to the second access of the Medici city.
