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Elba is an island in Tuscany, 20 km from the coastal town of Piombino. It is the largest island of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago.
There are various theories and legends on the birth and ancient times the Island of Elba; we can only say that various finds testify to life already on Elba in the Stone Age. AETHALIA was the most famous name by which the Island of Elba was known in the ancient world: the Greeks of the 5th century BC called it thus because of the fires that rose from the ovens used to smelt iron. It was the ample presence of this mineral that characterized the future events of Elba: everyone sought to conquer her to benefit from her riches. The first inhabitants of the island were the Ilvatians, a Ligurian people for whom the Romans subsequently named the island: ILVA. Afterwards came the Etruscans who also exploited the iron minerals. When the supply of wood was exhausted, they moved to the vicinity of Populonia. In the second half of 480 BC, attracted by the minerals, the Romans conquered Elba. The last years of Roman rule remain wrapped in obscurity: however, the Elba lost her economic importance when Rome came into possession of other rich mineral deposits. Following the fall of Rome there came the first barbarian invasions and the first monks. The Lumbards later arrived on Elba during the time the Saracens were still infesting the seas and occupying some islands, until the Maritime Republics did a sort of disinfection of the waters. In the start of the year one thousand the Pisan republic was charged by the Pope with the defense of Elba from the Saracens, and estabished themselves on the island.
The years that followed were characterized by continuous barbarian attacks, the most famous pirate of which was "BARBAROSSA" who was head of the Turkish fleet that destroyed the towns of Grassera near Rio and Ferraja. In 1546 Carlo V took Elba from the Appiani, and a part of the island was sold to Cosimo the first de'Medici, who started work on the impressive fortifications of Portoferraio in 1548 and who called it Cosmopli.
With the Treaty of Fontainebleau Elba was assigned to Napoleone, who was her guest from 3 May, 1814 to 26 February, 1815. At the congress of Vienna, Elba was retained by the Grandduke of Tuscany; then it was reunited in 1860 with the kingdom of Italy. With the construction of the modern iron and steel industry, Elba experienced a notable economic development and population explosion until the Second WW, when the Elba was bombarded and occupied by the Germans in 1943. The principle activity that supported the island was destroyed and there remained nothing but for the population to emigrate, a movement that ceased in the first years of the 50's, when Elba was discovered by tourism.

from VirtualElba