Stories and Legends 3 – Elba: Stories of sinkings

THE TREASURE OF PORTO AZZURRO
The inhabitants of Porto Azzurro live in the hope of seeing the treasures which legend has it are to be found there returned from the seabed. It is said that the Spanish vessel Polluce, loaded with jewels and works of art which Ferdinand IV, King of Naples, aware of his probable destiny, wanted to make safe, sank in the harbour. Survivors tell tales of the marvellous treasures on the seabed, giving rise to fabled sayings which have been improved over time ... Various attempts have since
been made to recover the treasure, but in vain, as the sea has not returned anything.

THE CANARIES OF ELBA
Before 1600, canaries were only to be found in Spain, and to keep their monopoly, the Spanish only traded males. But one day, around the year 1550, a Spanish ship sank off the coast of Elba, between Marina di Marciana and Procchio. It was loaded with male and female canaries, and these birds nested and proliferated in the mild climate of the island, which is very similar to that in the Canary Islands.