The Legend
The Legend of the Innamorata
“It was the year 1534, the shores of Elba were being raided by the pirate Barbarossa and his Saracens, but it mattered little to two young lovers like Lorenzo and Maria. That afternoon, it was July 14, Lorenzo arrived early on the beach, Maria from the top of the path wandered her eyes in search of her beloved, but saw a crew of men disembarking from a lifeboat…. Helplessly she watched the furious fight that broke out; Lorenzo fought with honor, but exhausted, he was taken prisoner. Maria ran to the beach in time to see the corsair ship pull away after flinging an agonizing body overboard. Recognizing in that body her beloved, Maria let herself fall into the sea, in a last desperate rush of love.”
It is from this ancient fishermen’s tale that the beach gets its name “INNAMORATA.” Every year Mary’s love for Lorenzo is re-enacted on the evening of July 14, by the association “Granducato Innamorata” in collaboration with our Village.
At nightfall the beach is lit by a thousand flashlights, the church bells announce the torchlight procession, and the procession begins; the four Rioni Baluardo, Fortezza, Fosso and Torre parade through all the streets of the town, anticipated by the nobles, led by Count Domingo Cardenas and his wife Isabel Martorèl.
The procession then moves to the Innamorata beach, where Maria, from the rocks, jumps into the water in search of Lorenzo. There, as legend has it, remains the shawl lost by Mary.
The rock is now called the Ciarpa Rock; hence the challenge! The four districts clash in a rowing palio: whoever first manages to take the Ciarpa will win, getting to name the girl who will be the Mary of the Innamorata the following year.
Once the regatta is over and the new “Innamorata” is elected, the party moves to the arena of “lo Scialà” restaurant, where music and merriment will continue until late at night.
