Populonia has Etruscan origins and is situated on one of the promontories overlooking the Gulf of Baratti. Thanks to its position on the sea, the ancient Etruscans could exploit the Mediterranean trade routes and reach the island of Elba to obtain the minerals needed for iron production.
Precisely because of these processes, the sand on the Baratti beach is still characterised by its dark colour: the very fine iron flakes that remain become like “glitter“ at sunset, creating a spectacle not to be missed.