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Stories and Legends 4 – Elba: Tales from recent times

BEATO LEONARDO
In 1792, a monk named Beato Leonardo went to Portoferraio, where he dedicated himself to preaching against blasphemy and during his travels in the area, encouraged the people to live a life more focused on Christian morals. In the houses where the families accepted his word, Beato Leonardo inscribed the initials I.H.S. This is the origin of these letters which are still seen on many of the walls in Portoferraio.

MAGO CHIO'
Who was Mago Chiò? He was one of those madmen who country people know as lunatics. His fixation was to become famous: he inscribed his name in huge letters on the highest lighthouses, fortress walls and manors. He lived by stealing from fields and from people, but wherever he went, he announced himself by blowing on an old horn before stealing. The peasants let him do as he wished...

IL VETERANO DI ARCOLE
He lived in San Piero with his adopted daughter Maria, and was a survivor of the Italian Army who was blinded during the battle of Arcole, for whom Napoleon had ordered promotion in the field to the rank of lieutenant. However, he never received this promotion, making the soldier very disappointed. The girl made many sacrifices to make the old man happy, obtaining a lieutenant’s uniform in Portoferraio and a false document certifying his promotion, which for the veteran soldier was recognition of his merits and a return to life. During his exile on Elba, Napoleon visited Marina di Campo, and became aware of this, deciding to visit the veteran survivor. The girl became worried about what she had done, and went in search of the Emperor, revealing what had happened, promising to rectify the pitiful deed, certain that he would soon return to France. But, as luck would have it, the veteran lost his memory.

Related Links - Stories and Legends

1 - The age of Myth 2 - The age of the Pirates and Corsairs

3 - Stories of sinkings 4 - Tales from recent times

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