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.

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 
 Campiglia Marittima
 Follonica
 San Vincenzo
 Suvereto

 Twin cities 
  Flémalle, Belgium

 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 

 References 

 Other websites 

 Official website of the Commune of Piombino 

Category:Towns in Livorno