Known in ancient times as the port of Falesia, Piombino later became a seigniory and principality at the time
of the Appianis, and at the beginning of the 19th century was governed by Napoleon’s sister, Elisa Bonaparte.
The town holds many historical and artistic reminders of its medieval and renaissance past. Churches, the Keep and
the Rivellino are some of the monuments to be found in the old town, protected by magnificent city walls.
The 19th century Palazzo Nuovo, situated inside a fortified stronghold designed with the help of Leonardo da Vinci,
houses a museum containing over 2,000 prehistoric, Etruscan and Roman finds from the Val di Cornia parks system.
Narrow paved streets lead up to an imposing castle - the original part dates back to the 13th century – which
also houses interesting finds.
The view from Piazza Bovio overlooking the sea stretches all along the coast and as
far as the islands of the archipelago. Ancient squares and streets running down to the sea are lined with picturesque
restaurants offering excellent fish dishes.
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