The municipality of Rio, thanks to his extension, offers uncountable possibilities to visit it: it is the ideal location to relax on some of the glitter beaches, for those who are interesting to the culture and for those who love sport activities, as well.
Rio nell’Elba. It is one of the oldest villages of the island because its origins go back to the Bronze Age. Near the centre you will find the ancient public washhouse, powered by the source of Fonte dei Canali, used from the population till 1880. it was a place of homework and socializing from the women, meanwhile the miners used it to refresh themselves after the hard work in the tunnels of the mine.
The most interesting religious building of Rio nell’Elba is the hermitage Eremo di Santa Caterina, mighty church dating back to 1500 placed in a suggestive location from where you will have an unique view. For centuries now every Easter Monday it is celebrated the festival of Sportella, a typical local sweet cake, that was used from the girls to declare their love giving it to a boy. Nearby there is a botanical garden, the Orto dei Semplici, it is like a living museum that was created to conserve the vegetal endemic species of the Tuscan Archipel, very interesting how they was used in kitchen, agriculture or pharmaceutical activities.
Rio Marina. It was the first mineral centre of the island, a village of fishers and miners situated in the north- eastern part of Elba, set in a small inlet of the sea and surrounded by the metalliferous hills. A location of rare beauty in the land of Rio Marina is the small red lake. The rainwater, in contact with the iron mineral create this encharmant place and gives life to a potpourri of colors that is inimitable.
For thousands of years it’s economy was tied to the extraction and transport of the iron mineral, and today it is a location made of touristical hospitality and a well known location of the “slow” Tourism from those who choose tranquility of a small and typical village, that offers simplicity and originality with its flavours, it’s customs and traditions proudly elban style. The real beauty of Rio Marina are its small ways that sparkle in the sun because the iron particles, its historical osterias that face the sea and the plazas.
Cavo. Little district of Rio, bordered by a beautiful promenade along a beach of fine sand and small pebbles. It is the nearest port of the connections Piombino – Elba by ferry boat. Who love excursions by foot or by bike, from Cavo starts the GTE “Grande Traversata Elbana”, a path that cross the island on its crests arriving in Pratesi or Pomonte.
