From Livorno to Piombino
With the abolition of the Kingdom of Etruria, Tuscany was entrusted to Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi; Livorno (Leghorn) became the administrative capital of the Department of the Mediterranean. The so-called “continental blockade”, imposed by Napoleon, took a heavy toll on the harbour activities and the city's economy.
Despite that, both Livorno and the stretch of coast as far as Piombino saw the start of major infrastructure investments, which became the foundations of development in the nineteenth century.
The itinerary includes a visit to the port area, the seaside promenades, the scoglio della Regina (the Queen's cliff), the beach facilities, and then continues along the Aurelia through the famous seaside resorts of Castiglioncello, Vada, Cecina, Bibbona, Castagneto Carducci, and San Vincenzo. From San Vincenzo you can reach Piombino by taking Via della Principessa, a road built by Elisa. The city of Principato, the dwelling of the Baciocchi family, is home to some important testimonials of the French rule.
The next stop is the Park, Parco del Montioni, with a visit to the complex built by the emperor's sister. Exiting from Piombino, going in the direction of Venturina, we take the Aurelia road south, and turning left on Via Casalappi/SP 22, follow directions for the locality of Montioni. Inside this vast area of great environmental value and natural beauty, you can visit the mining village of alum, the remains of the spa, and the historic square.
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