A historic village on the hillside called also Rio Castello; it dominates the
mining area which was Elba's fortune for centuries. It stand between the two
peaks of Monte Strega and Cima del Monte equidistant from the sea from East to
West.
Rio nell'Elba can be reached by a panoramic road which winds its way
through vineyards and olive groves. The same road leads to the Volterraio on
whose summit lies the remians of the Castello di Volterraio dating to the Pisani
era and which has withstood every attack launched on it. The pathway to the
castle is steep and windwing but the view from the top is very rewarding. Built
around the church of San Giacomo and Quirico, today,
Rio nell'Elba is a very
quiet, tranquil village but in the past the richness of its iron resources meant
it was the chosen location for primitive settlements. In fact, it is in this
very area that the Neolitic remains of the grotto of San Giuseppe can be found.
Worth a visit, the hermitage botanic garden, the Mineralogical museum "Alfeo
Ricci" and the archeological centre.
At
Rio nell'Elba you will find wide choice for tourist accommodation: hotels,
farm holiday, farmhouse, residence self-catering accommodation, b&b, rooms for
rent, holiday homes, camp sites and tourist villages.
