Piombino is one of the larger cities of Tuscany and situated at the coast of one of the most beautiful parts of Tuscany, the Maremma. This port town with about 35.000 inhabitants lies straight across the island of Elba. Like many of the Tuscan towns, its history goes back to Etruscan times and in these days was important for its metal trade.

During the Etruscan era the main city in the area was Populonia, which is nowadays a frazione within the commune of Piombino.

The name Piombino comes from Populino, meaning "Small Populonia", which some refugees gave to a small village where they went after their city had been attacked by Greek pirates (9th century B.C.).

The Monastery of San Giustiniano was founded in 1022 in the area, creating a lot of work and made the town grow. In 1115 Piombino came under the government of the Republic of Pisa, becoming its second main port. During the conflicts between the Pisa and the Genoa (12th-13th centuries) the city was attacked various times and changed as many of government. At the end of the 13th century, Piombino got a kind of independent status, only the castle remained in the possession of Pisa. Until Gerardo Appiani, ceding Pisa to the Milanese Visconti and making an independent state of Piombino, Elba, Pianosa and Montecristo for himself.

In 1553 and 1555 a French-Ottoman fleet attacked Piombino, but was defeated. After many different rulers Napoleon assigned it, together with Lucca -Principality of Lucca and Piombino-in 1805. After the Napoleon's final defeat and the congress of Vienna, the state of Piombino was annexed to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. It became part of the unified Kingdom of Italy in 1860.

Much of its history can be found back in nowadays Piombino.

Places to visit

The Port

The ancient port of Falesia, dates back as far as the 5th century B.C., is nowadays the most important passenger port of Tuscany. It connects the mainland with the Isle of Elba, the Tuscany archipelago, Sardinia and Corsica.

Piazza Bovia

Piazza Bovio, with its lighthouse, the Navy complex and the Old Hospital, is the square on the far end of the cape. From here you have a magnificent view over the Channel of Piombino.

The Rivellino

This ancient main gate in the wall surrounding Piombino was constructed by Rinaldo Appiano in 1447. The original door was part of a tower, already build in1212.

The Natural Province Reserve Padule Orti Bottagone

These marshes cover an area of approximately 92 hectares. It has been instituted by the Province as a Reserve in 1998 and it is found east of Piombino, These splendid wetlands contain; the freshwater Bottagone reed beds where water lilies, bamboo and marsh orchids grow and the saltwater Orti marshes.

Many different birds live here, some nesting and some present only at certain times of year. The marsh harrier, stilt plover, red heron, greater white heron, pink flamingo and osprey can be found here.? The marshes contain a nature trail and two observation hides.

The Necropoli di Populonia

At the western point of the commune of Piombino, you can find Populonia, an ancient town of Etruscan origin dominating the Baratti Bay, renowned for its beautiful beaches. Its historical past can be admired in the medieval walls, which were erected against the invasion of barbaric pirates, and the fortress, built during the first half of the 15th century.

Populonia and its surrounding district are of great interest to visitors, because of the archaeological attractions from Etruscan origin, which can be found practically everywhere. The village museum displays many of the items discovered during the excavations.

For more information visit

• Comune Piombino
• Toscana Baratti e Populonia