Piombino - the trip is worth it!

Instead of long-distance travel, more and more people are considering traveling in Europe. Due to the easy and shorter journey, which is often also possible by car, a vacation in Europe offers many possibilities. In particular, the Tuscany region is attracting more and more holidaymakers, because it impresses with beautiful natural areas and allows art and culture to be optimally combined with culinary enjoyment. The city of Piombino, which is located in Tuscany, is also enjoying increasing popularity. Below is an overview that will make it hard to resist the city!

Where is the city?

The picturesque port city can be found in the Italian Province of Livornowhich is in the heart of Tuscany. It is home to around 129 inhabitants on an area of ​​34.000 m² and is located on the Gulf of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Opposite is the Elba-Island. North of Piombino are the ruins of the old sea trade town of Populonia, which also had a port called Porto Baratti. The ruins are on a hill that slopes steeply towards the sea and is planted with olives. The places Campiglia Marittima, Follonica (GR), San Vincenzo and Suvereto are neighboring municipalities.

Information about the place

Many historical elements, be it from the Middle Ages to modern times, can be found in the city center and are still almost completely preserved. The old city gate with a barbican, a fortification element, is partly still in excellent condition.

From a distance, the city makes a modern impression. Over the years, a lot of industry has settled there, but at the same time it also offers many jobs and stimulates the economy. The Lucchini ironworks in particular catches the eye at first glance and dominates the view. This is ideally located with its own port directly on the sea and is equipped with a coking plant, two blast furnaces, an oxygen steelworks and various rolling mills.

The port of Porto Felesia, which dates back to Roman times, became increasingly important after the destruction of Populonia by the Lombards. In the 12th and 13th centuries it was equipped with city walls. Since 1594, Piombino has been the capital of the Principality of Piombino, which is how the city got its name. It also covered a very large part of the island of Elba, covering 360 km² and with around 25.000 inhabitants. Piombino was therefore a city-state and independent. It was under the sovereignty of Tuscany until 1860, after which it belonged to the Kingdom of Italy.

In 1881 the city had 2.763 inhabitants, which increased steadily in the following years due to industrialization. It reached its peak in the 1970s, when the place was home to almost 40.000 residents. After the boom in the steel industry, the population decreased a little.

The city offers everything you need for a good vacation. There are numerous restaurants and bars in the city center, but self-catering supermarkets are also very easy to find here. There is also a wide range of accommodation options. Be it holiday apartments or hotels, everywhere you will experience the Tuscan hospitality and get an insight into the life of the region.

The best sights

Piombino Cathedral

The co-cathedral can be found in the center of the city. It was created in 1377 and has been constantly expanded and improved. The mosaic attached to the facade dates back to 1937. Almost all historical components have been excellently preserved to this day. In 1997 an art museum was built in honor of the cathedral, which is adjacent and offers various canvases from churches for viewing.

Church of Mercy

The church in the town center dates from the early 13th century and has been optimally preserved. Adjacent you can also admire a Franciscan convent, which dates from the 15th century.

Castle of Piombino

The Castello di Piombino is a historic castle in the center of the Italian town of Piombino, in Tuscany. The castle was built on a hill in the 13th century and served as an important point of defense against attacks from the sea.

Over the centuries, the Castello di Piombino has been rebuilt and expanded several times to meet changing military needs. In the 16th century, under the rule of the Medici family, the castle was expanded and transformed into a palace.

Today the Castello di Piombino is one of the most important historical sights of the city and a popular tourist destination. Visitors can tour the various rooms and exhibitions of the castle and learn about the History Tuscany and the city of Piombino.

Particularly impressive are the viewpoints of the sea and the surrounding landscape that can be seen from the castle. From here you can have a breathtaking view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and enjoy the island of Elba.

Overall, the Castello di Piombino is a fascinating historical building that is well worth a visit when visiting Tuscany.

Palazzo Comunale

Like most historical buildings in Piombino, the palace, which dates back to the 13th century, has been optimally preserved.

Would you like to cool off a little?

Many different Beaches in the vicinity invite you to cool off and relax. The seaside resort of Follonica in particular is perfect for hot summer days. The beach, about 20 km away, is one of the largest and most popular in the region. It is particularly suitable for families, because the gently sloping sandy beach guarantees safe bathing and fun for young and old.

On Wednesday there is a market in Piombino!

For many years there has been a big one every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. Market in the center, which is perfect for strolling. This offers countless delicacies and regional specialties that invite you to try and feast, but also the everyday things are not neglected here.

Festivals in Piombino

In and around Piombino there are numerous festivals throughout the year that invite you to celebrate and enjoy. Be it art markets, musical events or traditional festivals - everyone will find something suitable here. You can find more detailed information on the event calendars of the region.