Capoliveri
Welcome to Capoliveri!
Hello everyone! Today we're talking about Capoliveri, a municipality on the island of Elba in Tuscany, Italy. This picturesque place has a population of 3,924 inhabitants and is one of the seven municipalities on the island. Enjoy discovering the physical geography, the origin of the name, the history, and the places of interest of this charming town!
Physical geography
The municipal territory of Capoliveri is located on the island of Elba in the province of Livorno. The Monte Calamita, rich in mineral deposits, towers over the city. You can also admire the Sassi Neri Lake, of mining origin, located along the eastern coast of the peninsula bathed by the Piombino Channel. While the south coast is bathed by the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Origin of the name
Capoliveri is a place of ancient charm. The name of the town appears in documents dating back to the Middle Ages, such as ''Capolibero'' (1260), ''Capoliveri'' and ''Capolivri'' (1289-1291), and ''Capolivro'' (1343). In Roman times, the town had names such as ''Caput Liberum'', ''Capitis Ilvae'', and ''Caput Liveri''. There is no certainty about the meaning of the toponym, but some suggest a relationship with the god Liber or Bacchus, linked to viticulture present in Roman times.
History
Elba has been distinguished since ancient times for the richness of its subsoil. In Etruscan-Roman times, Capoliveri already had a Greek Necropolis. In the Middle Ages, Elba was under the control of the Republic of Pisa. Capoliveri was the seat of the important ''Captaincy of Elba''. In the area of ​​the town, there are still the names of some neighborhoods from the 14th century, including ''Borgo'', ''Castello'', and ''Porta a Staldo'', the latter of Lombard derivation. From 1399 Elba was governed by the Appiano (family), until it was ceded to Cosimo I de' Medici, the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, in 1548.
1954 plane crash
On January 10, 1954, a tragic accident occurred just 16 km off the coast of ''Cape Calamita''. A De Havilland DH.106 Comet of the English company BOAC in Flight BOAC 781 sank due to a structural collapse of the cabin.
Society
Today, Capoliveri enjoys tourism as an important economic resource. The population of the municipality is largely composed of Italian citizens, with a percentage of 18.59% of foreign residents. The most represented nationalities are Germany, Romania, Albania, Switzerland, Moldova, and Morocco.
Monuments and places of interest
Capoliveri is a truly fascinating place, rich in history and natural beauty. You can't miss the Church of the Santissima Annunziata, of Romanesque origin. There are also many other attractions to visit, including breathtaking beaches and panoramas of the mountain. What are you waiting for? Come and discover them for yourself!
Thank you for reading this friendly summary of Capoliveri. We'll see you soon in this beautiful location on the island of Elba!
