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 of Piombino
CountryItaly
RegionToscana
ProvinceLivorno (LI)
FrazioniPopulonia, Baratti, Riotorto
Government
 • MayorGianni Anselmi (since June 2004)
Area
 • Total129 km2 (50 sq mi)
Elevation
21 m (69 ft)
Population
 (31 December 2004)
 • Total34,369
 • Density266.4/km2 (690.0/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
57025
Patron saintSaint Anastasia
Saint dayMay 8
Websitewww.comune.piombino.li.it
The lighthouse, the Marina port and the Old Hospital of Piombino

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

References

Other websites