The legend of the Argonauts of the Island of Elba

In the splendid Island of Elba, there are many wonderful beaches and the one called Le Ghiaie is just one of these paradises. It is close to Portoferraio and, as the name suggests, the coast is not sandy but composed of white pebbles. Indeed, to be honest, they are not exactly white as they have dark to blue streaks and spots. This characteristic is the cause of a fascinating legend around them.

Have you heard of the Argonauts before? Have you not? Then let's refresh your memory! They were a group of 50 heroes who, led by Giasone, embarked on an incredible and adventurous journey aboard the Argo ship. Whilst trying to conquer the Golden Fleece, they reached the hostile lands of Colchide (present-day Georgia) but it seems that they also stopped at the Island of Elba! According to what some classical authors wrote, including Diodoro Siculo (90-20 BC), the Argonauts, whilst sailing through the Tyrrhenian sea, stopped at an island called Aethalia which was simply the Island of Elba.

According to legend, the Argonauts landed on the beach of Le Ghiaie: they were tired and tried by the hard journey and once they got off the ship, they wiped the sweat with the white and porous stones of the beach. Apparently, their sweat stained the pebbles of Le Ghiaie beach and left black and blue drops on them and this way it made them very special.

So, the next time you travel to the Island of Elba, don’t fail to visit this beautiful beach. But make sure you leave the pebbles where they are, there is no point taking them home as a souvenir. The best memory you will carry with you, just like the Argonauts, will be of a marvelous sea tinged with shades ranging from turquoise to cobalt blue due to the color of the pebbles on the seabed. Furthermore, as this is a conservation area, you will enjoy unparalleled snorkeling. Did we make you feel like heading to the Island of Elba for your next holidays? What about going through the many tours departing from the port of Livorno that will allow you to visit the most beautiful cities of Tuscany? Nice idea, don’t you think?