You’ve often heard us talk about the “Pearls of the Tuscan Archipelago” referring to the seven beautiful islands that make it up: Gorgona, Capraia, Pianosa, Montecristo, Giglio, Giannutri and .. our beloved Elba Island.
This name is not due exclusively to the undeniable beauty of these places, but has a mythological origin. An ancient and fascinating legend, in fact, links these seven islands to Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Beauty and Love.
The story tells that the Goddess, coming out of the sea to reach Eros, the God of Love, tried to mend the pearl necklace she was wearing, the one she received from Paride, as well as prince of Troy; when the thread of the jewel broke and seven of these pearls fell into the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Surprisingly, Aphrodite’s treasures did not sink, but remained afloat and were transformed into the seven wonderful islands of the Tuscan Archipelago, as we know today.
Legend or not, this story certainly contributes to creating a trail of romance and poetry around these places that today we are lucky enough to be able to visit.
Each island has its own peculiarities, but they all share the beauty of the natural environments, history and artistic richness. So it’s not surprising, that their birth is to be attributed no less than the venerated goddess of Beauty.
