Palazzina dei Mulini (Museo nazionale delle residenze napoleoniche)

The Palazzina dei Mulini was Napoleon Bonaparte's official town residence during his exile on Elba from 1814 to 1815. Today the national museum preserves the rooms he used, their decorative schemes and a library assembled during his short rule of the island.

Why it matters

The residence preserves a brief but consequential period in Portoferraio's history. Napoleon's rule reshaped the town and its surroundings, and the Palazzina dei Mulini was the setting for the island's government and court life.

What to notice

The ground-floor gallery connects the salon, library and bedroom. The library contains 2,378 volumes, including a core of 186 books Napoleon selected at Fontainebleau. The upper floor includes a festival hall and a study used for government business. Antonio Vincenzo Revelli painted the interiors. A terraced garden overlooks Portoferraio's harbour.

Context and history

The building was constructed in 1724 under Gian Gastone de' Medici for the garrison of Cosmopoli. It was adapted as Napoleon's residence under the direction of architect Paolo Bargigli. Napoleon's mother and sister Paolina also stayed there. After his departure in February 1815, the building became part of the Museo Nazionale delle Residenze Napoleoniche on Elba.