Museo del Mare

A treasure at the bottom of the sea

In the heart of the village of Capoliveri, on Elba Island, since 2014 there has been a museum dedicated to one of the most fascinating archaeological discoveries in the Mediterranean: the treasure of the Polluce, part of the richest treasure wreck ever discovered in these waters. A treasure shrouded in mystery and the charm of history, sunk off the coast of Capoliveri on the night of June 17, 1841, under circumstances that are still not fully clarified.

A story between reality and legend

The story of the Museum of the Polluce Treasure of Capoliveri, on Elba Island, intertwines great figures and local microhistory, the rivalries of the kingdoms of Risorgimento Italy and memories passed down over time. Stories that, passed from generation to generation, have turned into novels and incredible sea legends.

After more than a century and a half, during which the treasure seemed to be only a legend linked to the sea of Capoliveri, the wreck of the Polluce was accidentally rediscovered, looted and finally recovered and preserved by the Italian State.

The true value of this treasure, however, lies not only in the gold and precious stones on display, but above all in everyday objects, in the onboard equipment and in the testimonies that recount, in a direct and surprisingly intimate way, a glimpse of life and history during the period of the Italian Risorgimento.

The museum today

The Museum of the Polluce Treasure offers throughout the year a rich program of activities designed to engage visitors of all ages. The aim is to combine the tourist experience with the role of the museum as a small but lively cultural hub of the area. Among the proposed initiatives: educational workshops for children and school groups, guided tours, conferences and the “Storie da Mare”, walks in the historic center of Capoliveri dedicated to tales of the sea, local customs, traditions and ways of life.