It's the main town of the island. Its historical centre has very ancient origins. In roman times it was a populated sea port, in medieval times it lost much importance but since 1548 under Grand-Duke of Tuscany Cosimo I Medici it was rebuilt and fortified.

Portoferraio

Villa dei Mulini

It became one of the most secure ports of Mediterranean Sea, fortress against Turkish pirates' attacks. Later, in 1814, it was the place where Napoleon was exiled for 10 months and the town he decided should be the capital of his little reign.

An interesting tour of the city begins from the large parking area near the ferry moles. After the place called Ponticello (Little bridge) because of a former ditch that used to cut the old town in two parts, are the walls, where is the ancient Door "Porta a Terra" that leads into the historical centre.

Villa dei Mulini

Villa di San Martino

Go up and walk along the ancient walls as far as Forte Falcone, one of the two Fortresses of the town; otherwise we can choose to go through the upper town, to the Villa dei Mulini, once residence of Napoleone Bonaparte.

The ancient streets and staircases leading to the port and all are different and spectacular. In the De Lauger Cultural Centre meetings and cultural shows are often held, moreover it is the seat of Pinacoteca Foresiana.
At the bottom of the staircase, along Garibaldi Street, is the Town Hall, the former Biscotteria Palace, where ship-biscuits were made for the crews of galleys.

Capo Bianco

La Biodola

Along the Salita Napoleone, probably the most accessible staircase, you can find the Misericordia Church, where the bronze funeral mask of Napoleon can be seen, and the De Lauger Cultural Centre. 

Passing over the Teatro dei Vigilanti, former Carmine Church, dating back to 1616, going along Victor Hugo Street, we get into a gallery leading to Villa dei Mulini, residence of Napoleone.

Villa Romana

A very steep hill leads, besides the Villa, to the Forte Stella, second fortress of the town and to the Faro dei Lorena, an old but still working Lighthouse.

On the other side of the Repubblica Square, facing the Town Hall, is Portoferraio Cathedral, of Medici's times.
Finally we arrive at the slope along the quays of Medici's Port, from where used to leave and arrive the vessels that fighted against Turkish in difense of Cristianity, and where arrived Napoleon the 3rd May 1814. Nowadays the quays are in use for sailing-boats, yachts, fishing-boat, but the charm of the place is still the same.

Forte Stella