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Tuscan
Archipelago >> Presentation
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 When
the Thyrrenian Venus was born out of the foaming waves, the
diadem that she wore was broken and all the disseminated pearls
were transformed into the seven islands of the Tuscan archipelago.
This is what the myth says about the creation of that what today
is the biggest marine park of Europe, with more than 60.000
hectares of protected water around Capraia, Giannutri, Gorgona,
Montecristo and Pianosa and 18.000 hectares of protected land
which also covers the two biggest islands, Elba and Giglio.
These seven islands are united by the water and divided by the
deep differences caused by the many civilisations which have
lived on this small surface, in the middle of the commercial
and military routes and therefore often invaded and sacked by
foreigners which have left enduring traces. The tourist can
only visit the islands of Elba, Giglio, Giannutri and part of
Capraia freely. There is still a penal settlement on Gorgona,
and the whole territory of Montecristo is a national biogenetic
park open only for study and research. The high-security prisons
on Pianosa and Capraia were closed recently. These parts of
the archipelago can therefore only be seen with guided tours
or with special permits. Spring and autumn are definitely the
best seasons to come here for an unforgettable holiday around
the pearls of the Tuscan archipelago, when the sultriness is
less evident, the landscapes virtually explode in colours, as
the beaches are less crowded and the mild climate allows you
to discover the less known parts of the Tuscan islands. |
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This
is a paradise, not only for sun-bathers, but also for people
who wants to take a long walk on the paths which go around the
beautiful Mediterranean bush. Off course the water is the main
attraction of the Tuscan archipelago, a water that varies and
surrounds different coastlines, rocks and soundings, extraordinary
clear water which features a vary animal and vegetation life.
This is the Eden for divers  or
for anyone who loves to jump into the crystal clear water. For
an alternative holiday, this is the ideal place for an environmental
friendly stay. The Mediterranean bush covers the island, giving
shelter to hares and the European wild boar, even though the
avifauna is the main attraction. Ornithologists from all parts
of Europe come here to study it. The traces of other civilisations
which have lived here from the beginning of man’s life is the
last but not the least important tourist attractions. Beautiful
remains of Roman villas and thermal baths can be seen here and
there, watch towers, fortresses, castles and bastions are located
on rocks, the tops and the creeks which show how the people
of the Tuscan archipelago tried to defend themselves from the
incursions of the pirates and the sacks of the Saracens. The
many churches mark the history of the Christian hermits, but
there are also buildings from the time when the Medici family
governed and the glorious but torturous period of Napoleon who
lived here in exile. The Tuscan Archipelago is able to satisfy
any taste offering the typical holiday with sun and water and
at the same time giving the possibility to satisfy the need
for a different holiday, under banner of culture, art and nature.
Photos from APT Tuscan Archipelago and Mediaweb srl. |
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