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Island of Elba Places of worship at Elba
At Elba island there are many places of worship, churches, parish churches and ancient hermitages. This is because of the scattered villages which in the past where barely linked to each other through narrow and long mule track on the mountains. These villages were mainly inhabited by farmers and fishermen, and so many places of worship consecrated to deities of the harvest and of the fishing were built. These places helped to the blessing of the earth and of the sea which guarantee the subsistence of the population with their precious fruits.
Christianity transformed these pagan places into shrines and parish churches, consecrated mainly to Virgin Mary (who usually substituted Cerere, the goddess of the earth and fertility), or to those Saints whose characteristics replicate those of the previous pagan deities.
Following the fall of Roman Empire communities of monks and hermits sought refuge in Elba island, often living in caves or in small parish churches. There are, so, many places of worship you can visit at Elba, and many religious events you can participate to, as the “infiorate” (decking with flowers) or the Patron’s days.
Below the dates of the religious holidays and of the Patron’s days:
Easter Monday: Festa della Sportella at Rio nell’Elba and Rio Marina – Saint Caterina’s hermitage
5th of May: mass in intercession of Napoleon at Elba. Misericordia church at Portoferraio
Corpus Domini day: infiorata at Marina di Campo
7th of August: Saint Gaetano’s day at Marina di Campo
10th of August: Saint Lorenzo’s day at Seccheto
12th of August: Saint Chiara’s day at Marciana Marina
16th of August: Saint Rocco’s day at Rio Marina and Procchio
8th of September: procession for the Virgin Mary of Monserrato at Porto Azzurro
15th of September: mass for the celebration of Saint Mamiliano at Marina di Campo, Saint Mamiliano church
Visitality suggest the most important churches and the places of worship in the district of Elba island.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
Little and ancient church for fishermen with the Sacred Heart oratory in Porto Azzurro.
Madonna of Monserrato shrine
It was built in the Spanish period and it is located in a sacred and evocative place in the valley near Porto Azzurro.
Our Lady of Graces shrine
The church is near the sea in a quiet and shady zone 3 kilometres away from Capoliveri.
Saint Francesco hermitage
Place of worship in the valley between Sant’Ilario and Monte Perone
Saint Ilario Church
Situated in the historical center of Sant’Ilario, in the municipality of Campo nell’Elba.
Church of St. Rocco
Originally as a chapel that was converted into a parish church following the birth of the town Rio Marina.
Portoferraio Duomo
It dates back to the Medici family period. It was built thanks to Cosimo I and it is in Portoferraio city center.
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