MAREMMA AND ITS VILLAGES
A territory where history can be breathed and observed in every corner.
The Follonica area, famous for its wild landscapes, green hills, is dotted with Etruscan and Roman remains, castles and medieval villages, imposing fortresses left as evidence of almost two centuries of Spanish domination. Here are the villages, considered to be among the most beautiful in Italy, absolutely worth visiting and exploring far and wide.
1. GROSSETO
Grosseto is one of the least known Tuscan cities for its artistic heritage, but the city center collects monuments of great interest and undisputed beauty, such as the Duomo. The works began in 1294 by the Sienese and ended in the 15th century, the result? A masterpiece! Furthermore, in the left transept, it houses a panel by Matteo di Giovanni: the “Madonna delle Grazie“. Then, we have the Church of San Francesco which was built in 1289 by the Franciscans on the ruins of a Benedictine monastery abandoned by the monks. Behind its Gothic facade, a cross attributed to Duccio da Boninsegna can be seen.
Finally, the oldest church in the city overlooks Corso Carducci, the main street in the center: San Pietro, dating back to around the year 1000.
2. GAVORRANO
In the oldest part of Gavorrano, we can easily recognize the wall circuit of the fortress, with its square towers and splayed loopholes. Also in this part of the village, there is the church of San Giuliano, built in 1792 on the walls of the original fortress. Observing the bell tower it is easy to see how the lower structure is prior to the rest of the building. Inside the church you can see a very valuable 14th-century marble sculpture of the Madonna and Child attributed to Giovanni d’Agostino (master builder of the Siena Cathedral).
Surely to visit is the naturalistic mining park of Gavorrano. It was founded in 2003 with the aim of not forgetting the past of mining and preserving its places by returning them to a new dimension. Two mining areas can be visited: the Rocks Park and the Ravi Marchi area. At the Parco delle Rocce it is possible to visit the Museum in the gallery, a modern underground multimedia museum that allows us to retrace the working day of the miners with the evocative reconstruction of the different environments. In the Ravi Marchi mining area, it is possible to follow the entire process of pyrite processing, from extraction to transport, on the cableway belt, to the processing plants.
3. CASTIGLIONE DELLA PESCAIA
The origins of the town of Castiglione della Pescaia date back to the Roman period. (To date we have some important findings found along the banks of the Bruna river, especially the ruins of the ancient Roman Villa delle Paduline.) There are numerous buildings and monuments which are located in the Tuscan town, symbols and testimonies of the past and of the history of this territory, among the main ones we certainly remember the Casa Rossa Ximenes, of Renaissance origin, the Palazzo del Pretorio, the Church of Santa Maria del Giglio and the Church of San John the Baptist.
An interesting tradition of Castiglione della Pescaia takes place in the second half of August, when the Palio Marinaro is celebrated, that is a challenge between the 5 city districts that compete with oars from the port for almost 3 km. During the days of the Palio, not to be missed are the night parade of illuminated fishing boats and the gastronomic festival linked to the culinary tradition of Castiglione della Pescaia … its strong point? Obviously the fish.
4. SCARLINO AND SURROUNDING
A village gathered within the ancient medieval walls and known for the Rocca aldobrandesca with numerous things to visit such as: the Pisan fortress, the beach of Cala Violina, the archaeological park and the Wildlife Protection Oasis.
5. CAPALBIO: little Athens
Capalbio offers a breathtaking view, from the top of the hill from which it dominates the Ansedonia promontory, the coast and the hills that surround it.
Known as “the little Athens“, Capalbio is the only medieval city entirely preserved within very particular double-enclosed walls, with two patrol walkways, on different levels. The charm of Capalbio is truly unique.
Capalbio today hosts festivals such as the Capalbio International Short Film Festival, a review of short films of international importance.
