During the first half of the 17th century Capoliveri was attacked several times by pirates who destroyed the walls right down to the foundations and further, at the beginning of the 18th century it was the theatre of a cruel battle between the French and Spanish armies. During the revolutionary period Elba became French and it was then chosen by Napoleon for his exile. With regard to this, the people of Capoliveri love to tell the story about Napoleon's intention to destroy the town because he was irritated by the lack of tribute paid by the inhabitants to himself, and how he changed his mind thanks to the beauty of Amelia Vantini, a young woman of Capoliveri.The efficiency of the Lorraine administration meant the rebirth of Capoliveri, this was thanks to the production of good quality wine (Aeatico, Muscat, Sangiovese) and thanks to the production of iron ore at Calamita point and in the Ginepro bay. Half way through the 19th century the miners started the first struggles for better pay: this was an important contribution to the birth of a union conscience. In 1907 it became an autonomous town.

You can get to the now abandoned mines at Calamita point along a panoramic road, high above the sea. Another interesting scenic excursion is to Innamorata bay to the south of the town. To the south-west is the 16th century Madonna delle Grazie Sanctury where we can see a small painting of the Madonna del Silenzio by Marcello Venusti.Behind Lacona bay is the small Madonna della Neve Church founded by some disciples of Saint Giovanni Gualberto. Saint Michele church is in Romanesque-Pisan style and it is set in a position where we can see Mola plain and Porto Azzurro gulf. Destroyed by Barbarossa’s troops in the first half of the 16th century, the church was never completely reconstructed, but was used as a cemetery. A storm forced Pope Gregory XI, who was returning from Avignon, to stop on Elba and he celebrated mass here. The borough is collected around the square and Via Roma, a road in the highest part rich in local and shops. From here lots of lanes, small squares and alleys with underpasses, arches and stairs. Also worth a visit is the Alfeo Ricci Collection with minerals of a unique beauty and rarity that come from various parts of the island. Finally another legend is worth a mention, the Innamorata festival which is held on 14th July. A historic procession every year reminds us of the tragic love story of Maria and Lorenzo two young people of Capoliveri.