Its name does not derive from a flower (Giglio also means lily) or from the Florentine rule; rather, it originates from the Latinization of the Greek word goat or Aegilium.According to legend, Giglio was formed when the Tyrrhenian Venus rose from the waves of the sea. Seven jewels detached themselves from her diadem and became the islands of the archipelago: Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Gorgona, Pianosa, Giannutri, and Montecristo. This is how the origin of the Tuscan Archipelago is recounted in an ancient legend. According to other sources, which are probably more reliable, Giglio is said to have originated around 4.5 to 5 million years ago and, thanks to its strategic location, has since experienced an eventful history.Inhabited since the Stone Age, Giglio was later used by the Etruscans as a military outpost.The island experienced a true golden age under the Roman rule of the Domizi Enobardi family, who owned the magnificent patrician villa Castellari. The island became an important maritime hub in the trade relations of the provinces, as evidenced by the numerous relics found in the waters off its coast.In 805 AD, Charlemagne gifted the island to the abbey of "Tre Fontane", before it later passed into the possession of the Aldobrandeschi, Pannocchieschi, Gaetani, Orsini and finally the municipality of Perugia.In 1241, Frederick II's fleet destroyed the ships sailing from Genoa to Rome in the waters around Giglio. These ships carried the prelates whom Gregory IX had summoned to a council against the emperor. From 1254 onward, the island was administered by the Pisani family; Giglio Castello owes its urban structure to them. In the following centuries, Giglio was under numerous rulers (including the Medici of Florence from the beginning of the 15th century) and was marked by Saracen raids.This turbulent period only ended with a truly heroic victory of the Giglio people against the Turks, the pirate Khair ad-Din, also known as Barbarossa (Redbeard). From that moment on, calmer times began, during which agriculture revived, the mining of limonite, hematite, and pyrite was promoted, and granite quarries were established. It is worth noting that this stone was already being transported from Giglio to ancient Rome in Roman times, where it can still be admired today in the form of the columns of many basilicas.This development fostered an economic and demographic upswing, which continued after the closure of the pyrite mine in 1962 with the tourism that began at that time.

The island of Giglio, with its clear, never particularly cold waters (water temperatures between 17 and 27 degrees Celsius) and its underwater world, rich in coastal slopes, grottos and shallows, offers a number of impressive dive sites for enthusiastic divers. Seagrass meadows, wonderful gorgonians and colorful sponges make this area a true natural treasure. In deeper waters, schools of amberjack, barracuda, and fork-tailed trevally can be observed. Enormous tuna, reaching up to 3 meters in length, are also found here, while the numerous rocky crevices are inhabited by moray eels, crabs, lobsters, and bass. On calm spring and summer days, young sperm whales can be spotted in the open sea. Occasionally, pods of dolphins even approach the bow of a ship. All in all, the sea around Giglio is always full of surprises; the old local fishermen alone have a tale or two to tell...

Night owls are also catered for. Besides various bars, Giglio offers many small restaurants in the harbor or right on the beach for those who want to enjoy a pleasant evening. This atmosphere encourages meeting up with friends and people you met earlier that day at the seaside.While you can spend a quiet evening with friends in one of the bars that line the promenade at the harbor, the numerous colorful shops invite you to stroll around.In Campese, on the other hand, the beach with its bars beckons. Chill-out music or live music provides the perfect setting to begin an eventful evening or simply unwind after a long day.Castello is the old town of Giglio and is one of the 100 most beautiful old towns in Italy.The small alleyways are lined with inviting restaurants and bars.

Besides these established institutions, Giglio also offers various folk festivals. Especially in August and September, the island is ablaze, quite literally.Each village celebrates its patron saint and sets off a truly gigantic fireworks display in his honor. You have to be there to know what it means!More information: www.giglioinfo.it