Piombino
Piombino is a town and commune in the province of Livorno (Tuscany), Italy, on the border between the Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea, in front of Elba Island and at the northern side of Maremma.
| Comune di Piombino | |
 Coat of arms | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Toscana |
| Province | Livorno (LI) |
| Frazioni | Populonia, Baratti, Riotorto |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Gianni Anselmi (since June 2004) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 129 km2 (50 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 21 m (69 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2004) | |
| • Total | 34,369 |
| • Density | 266.4/km2 (690.0/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 57025 |
| Patron saint | Saint Anastasia |
| Saint day | May 8 |
| Website | www.comune.piombino.li.it |
It has an ancient historical centre, derived from the time in which it was the Etruscans' port, near the area of Populonia. In the Middle Ages, it was an important port of Pisa's Republic. Still today Piombino is one of biggest port in Italy, and is one of the most used port for to go in the Elba Island, (with the port of Livorno). Piombino outside the down town has a very big industrial area.
Important places and monuments
- Cathedral of Sant'Antimo (c. 1377), built by the Augustinians and originally dedicated to St. Michael.
- The Rivellino (Walls Tower-Gate), the most ancient monument in the city (1212).
- The Chiesa della Misericordia (early 13th century). Inside this church there is a rare 15th century crucifix.
- The Cassero Pisano a castel, built under Cosimo I de' Medici the castel was used as military jail until 1959.
- The Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), mostly a modern reconstruction of the ancient Palazzo degli Anziani (1435). In the Musters Hall, with portraits of the Princes of Piombino.
- Chapel of St. Anne, a noteworthy Renaissance work by Guardi.
- The Cisterna di Cittadella (Citadel's Cistern), also by Guardi. On the sides are the portraits of Jacopo III Appiani and his son and wife, later damaged by order of Cesare Borgia.
- Casa delle Bifore (1280).
- The Natural Province Reserve Padule Orti Bottagone, created in 1998.
Other
Piombino has schools, churches, banks, parks and squares. In the locality of Punta Falcone there is an astronomical observatory, built in 1976.
Medals
On July 28 2000, the city of Piombino got the Gold Medal of Military Valor for the fight against nazism and fascism, before and during the World War II.
Comuni near Piombino
Twin cities
Population history
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1861 | 2,905 |
| 1871 | 3,625 |
| 1881 | 4,058 |
| 1901 | 7,668 |
| 1911 | 18,649 |
| 1921 | 23,541 |
| 1931 | 25,981 |
| 1936 | 27,548 |
| 1951 | 32,336 |
| 1961 | 35,940 |
| 1971 | 39,654 |
| 1981 | 39,401 |
| 1991 | 36,774 |
| 2001 | 33,925 |
| December 31, 2004 | 34,369 |
Piombino Media
View on Piombino
The Rivellino, the ancient main gate built in 1447 by Rinaldo Orsini.
Map of Piombino and its fortifications, 18th century.
Porto Antico di Piombino
Lato campagna della stazione di Piombino
Torre Mozza, 16th century Tuscan coastal tower. It is now a historical and tourist attraction in the Follonica gulf, in front of Elba island
References
Other websites
- Official website of the Commune of Piombino (in Italian)
