Museo della Misericordia

About the museum

The Museo della Misericordia is located in the historic centre of Portoferraio, in Salita Napoleone, next to the Misericordia church, and is run by the confraternity, which has been active in the town since 1566. It houses objects linked to the history of the confraternity and to the Napoleonic period on Elba, when Napoleon was exiled to Portoferraio in 1814.

The Napoleonic section includes one of the first copies of the emperor’s death mask, taken from his deathbed by his personal physician Francesco Antommarchi; a cast of his hand, donated to the confraternity by the Musée de l’Armée in Paris; a copy of the coffin that carried the body from Saint Helena to Paris, a gift from Anatolio Demidoff; and the Elba flag designed by Napoleon with the three bees.

The part dedicated to the confraternity preserves its founding statutes of 1566, an antiphonary of 1676, an early 20th-century sedan chair, the robes of the brothers, and paintings and works of art. Vestments, sacred vessels, monstrances and chalices were donated by families from Portoferraio or restored with the contribution of associations and bodies.

Highlights

• One of the first copies of Napoleon’s death mask
• Cast of the emperor’s hand
• Elba flag with three bees, designed by Napoleon
• Statutes of the Misericordia of 1566 and antiphonary of 1676
• Copy of the coffin that carried the remains from Saint Helena to Paris

Founded

1

Operated by

Venerabile Arciconfraternita di Misericordia di Portoferraio

Visitors per year

approx. 4,500

Admission & discounts

Tickets cost €2.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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