Darsena Medicea, Approdo Turistico

Following myths and legends and giving credit to some Greek and latin writers, it is said that ancient Mediterranean peoples - the Greeks, the Ligurians, the Romans, the Pisans and even the Barberians visited the Gulf of Portoferraio. For this reason in the centre of the coat - of - arms of Portoferraio the ship of the "Argonauti" of Giasone, which landed there, is reproduced. The true history of the port begins
with the foundation of Cosmopoli, as Portoferraio was then called.
A plaque, written in Latin above the "Porta a Mare" (Sea gate)
commemorates the event: " TEMPLA, MOENIA, DOMUS, ACRES, PORTUM
COSMUS FLORENTINORUM DUX A FUNDAMENTIS EREXIT A.D.MDXXXXVIII.
(The temples, the walls, the houses, the fortress, the port Cosmo
Duke of Florence, erected the foundations in the year 1548).
A fortress that was considered impregnable and even surprised Cardinal de Retz, in the world Jean François de Gondi, sworn enemy of Mazzarino, who in the mid 1600s, after sailing across the Mediterranean, wrote in memoirs: "You have certainly never seen such a magnificent scenary
as the one of Portoferraio. One has to be a "man of war" to be able to describe it; I shall be happy enough to tell you that its strength exceeds its splendour ".

This opinion is confirmed later on by the
famous English Admiral Horatio Nelson when he announced to his government on 20 July 1796, "....all the men and ships entrusted to him are safe in Portoferraio, which for its width is the safest port
in the world ". The architect "Giovan Battista Camerini" drew up the original plan of the fortress. Several years later the architect "Bernardo Buontalenti" carried out some of the important works to complete the piece of work, making some improvements to the logistical functioning and the defence of the fortress. Therefore a very safe
port, so much so that it is classified a "refuge port" - a safe haven. For this reason, on impetuous, windy days and rough seas, the port and the entire roadstead offer safe anchorage to ships, even very
large one, while they await better weather.

In 1600 Cardinal de Retz, admired Portoferraio and its port in amazement; and still today the shenary of the Medicean Port offered to seafaring people is enchanting. For those arriving in the port, the "Martello" Towers is the first rampart overlooking the sea, which presents the imposing fortification of the wide horseshoe shaped port. Opposite it, in the centre of the port, the "Porta a Mare" (Sea Gate), the entrance to the historical
centre of the town can be seen, with all around a "crown" of houses in pastel colours that are built along the perimeter of the ancient walls. At the beginning of the new millennium the mooring area of the Medicean port has been equipped with all the facilities that are necessary for a modern port: staff, water, electricity, semplified and assisted mooring. Other facilities are avalaible for the welcoming of guests in the best possible way. Portoferraio and its historical town center live around the port offering splendid views and a lively
atmosphere: characteristic cafès and restaurants, specialised shops and boutiques, the traditional indoor market where supplies can be hought to stock up the storeroom. What to see in the town: Napoleon's residence the "Villa dei Mulini",
the Archaeological Museum, the Foresiana Picture Gallery, the Church of the Misericordia, the Falcone Fort and the Stella Fort.