... as the Napoleonic palindrome goes. Elba was called "the largest, richest and most beautiful island of the Archipelago Toscano", by the Admiralty Pilot, and impressive it is. We sailed into Porto Ferraio, an ancient source of iron ore on the east coast that rises above the harbor shown here. We're anchored out and took the shot from the boat.


Hiking up the cobbled streets we were rewarded with this view here, overlooking NE Elba, the mainland Tuscany coast and the straights through which we'd entered the harbor. The ferry you see is one of the many that frequently cross from Corsica and various Italian coastal cities. The tower lighthouse tops one of the old forts (Fortezza Stella) and the nautical nature of the place is highlighted by the delightful stained glass sextant at the ferry port.


Continuing the panorama from Fort Stella is the south view overlooking the town and small inner harbor - small by modern standards, but picture dozens of square rigged ships scurrying to and fro with goods from all over the Med only a hundred years ago and spilling out into the larger harbor, where, way out in the distant past the ferry docks on the top right are anchored cruisers, Sangaris included.


This was the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's "exile" on Elba, and celebrations were all about, with the distinct and subtle tri-cornered hat logo to be seen everywhere. Napoleon is still a local hero and is credited with bringing (dragging?) Elba into the modern world. His "in-town" house is the yellow building Craig's standing by (his main estate was a few miles out of town) and the surrounding neighborhood is unique.
We spent two nights anchored off Porto Ferraio and then sailed around the point to be near a better swimming area and calm anchorage for a barbeque with Pat & Keith.