Maremma is a maze of beaches, pinewoods, coves, natural paradises, uncontaminated islands, villages and castles.
The Metal bearing Hills in the north of the province gradually descend from the mountains to the Gulf of Follonica and the upper
Maremma coast. Follonica and Scarlino are important tourist resorts, but the area is famed for its mineral resources. The old furnaces of the Etruscan mines can still be seen everywhere. The most famous Etruscan towns are: Gavorrano, Montieri and Monterotondo. Massa Marittima is a little-big medieval “city-republic”. The internal hill area divides the plain from the slopes of
Mount Amiata. The monuments in this area are surrounded by parkland. The environment is enriched with villages, castles, fortresses and rings of walls. Already a thousand years ago, the Etruscans grew vines and today this tradition allows us to enjoy Morellino, one of the most famous wines in Italy. At
Scansano and Cinigiano they still live as they did in the past. There is also Campagnatico, an ancient castle of the Aldobrandeschi family who were also feudatories of Roccastrada. The “kingdom of tuff” with its Etruscan settlements, is a hilly area which allows us to understand its volcanic nature which is proved by the existence of spa waters. The landscape comprises sheer rocky cliffs featuring mysterious tombs and lastly, villages clinging to steep slopes with grottos and tower houses. These include Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana. At Sorano the famous “Ildebranda” tomb is indicated as the masterpiece of all sepulchres. The Silver Coast to the south of Grosetto looks out onto the last stretch of sea in Tuscany. It is bounded by the Uccellina park and Burano lake, two unique natural environments. They are crowned by the superbly positioned ancient villages of Montiano, Magliano in Toscana and Capalbio that once guarded the sea. Orbetello features a lagoon full of fish but inside its walls one is reminded of the Etruscan and Roman city, the capital of the impregnable Spanish fortress and the starting point of legendary flights that opened the sky above the Atlantic to man.
The Argentario, which gives its name to the coast, is a m mountain overlooking the sea. Once and island, it then rejoined the mainland along the necks of Feniglia and Giannella. Together with Talamone, lying just to the north, it is a major tourist area. From the fishing villages of Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole one can go to sea throughout the year. Near the promontory are the islands of Giglio, with its savage landscape, and Giannutri, which preserves a love story among the ruins of a Roman villa.
Grosseto, the capital of the province, shows us its cathedral, the Sienese Keep and the Medician Walls representing the various peoples who have inhabited the city. The surrounding area is full of historical monuments. Of particular importance is the archaeological site of the Etruscan town of Roselle, the digs of which illustrate the historical development of Maremma. There is also a coastline where beaches, pinewoods and marshland are interrupted by coves concealing delightful tourist ports such as
Castiglione della Pescaia, Punta Ala and
Marina di Grosseto. Castiglione della Pescaia features a castle and medieval centre which dominate the canal port. Not far away there is Punta Ala, a top-level tourist centre with one of the most complete tourist ports for sailing boats in the Mediterranean.
