Orto dei Semplici Elbano, located beside the Hermitage of Santa Caterina in Rio nell’Elba, is a true living museum dedicated to the native and cultivated plants of the Tuscan Archipelago, with a special focus on the ethnobotanical traditions of the territory.
The project was founded in 1992 by botanists Gabriella Corsi and Fabio Garbari from the University of Pisa together with writer and photographer Hans Georg Berger, with the aim of preserving and promoting Elba’s botanical biodiversity and the historical relationship between people and plants. The garden layout was designed by architects Roberto Gabetti and Aimaro Isola.
Open to the public since 1997, the garden features thematic plots showcasing endemic, aromatic, and medicinal plants, along with traditional fruit varieties and typical Mediterranean maquis vegetation. Its pathways offer scenic views over the hills and the sea.
Today, the garden is managed by Francesco Marino, supported by volunteers and members of the Friends of the Hermitage of Santa Caterina Association, the owner of the land. The ongoing care and enhancement of the plant collections aim to strengthen the garden’s role as an active center for environmental education and conservation — a place for learning, walking, and reconnecting with the rich botanical heritage of Elba.
Dove si trova: L’Orto dei Semplici Elbano si trova presso l’Eremo di Santa Caterina a Rio nell’Elba.
