Maremma Italy
Towns Villages & Hamlets
Part One A - M
Stay a while and explore these Maremma, Italy towns, many of which sit upon hill tops with spectacular views across the landscapes of expansive river plains, densely wooded hills home to wild boar, and a stunning coastline with the Tuscan archipelago in the sparkling waters of the Tyrrhenian sea.
And of that wasn't sufficent encouragement to visit or to take a look through these pages! many of Maremma's towns have a medieval heart so well preserved that, but for the sound or two of a local "Ape" buzzing through the narrow streets, you could be forgiven for thinking that you had travelled back in time.
Come across a festival or two in full swing with medieval costume and music and you will think that the wonderful local Super Tuscan wines had been stronger at lunchtime than you had thought!
Enjoy Maremma. It is a special place.
Part One:
The towns, villages and hamlets A - M
A
Alberese Small it may be, but Alberese is the starting point for a wonderful day out along the natural beach of the Marina di Alberese in Maremma's national park.
|
B
Belvedere A tiny restored medieval hamlet at the top of a single track road on the hill above Suvereto with bed and breakfast accommodation.
|
Buriano Once a rival Aldobrandesca fortressed town to the neighbouring hill town of Vetulonia (from which this image was taken), Buriano is home to the lost church of Saint Andrea and the hermitage of Malavalle.
Photo by kind permission of Ricsen.
|
C
Caldana Visit the open wine cellars during the town's autumnal festivities for a unique experience deep beneath a medieval town.
Photo by kind permission of Ricsen
|
Campiglia Marittima Take a morning or an afternoon to explore this towns many medieval streets, eat a picnic in the gardens of its ruined castle the Rocca Aldobrandesca with museum and stunning views and then visit the Parco Archeominerario di San Silvestro for a day you will never forget.
|
Casalappi A tiny hamlet with its own castle (in which you can stay) and an agriturismo
|
Castagneto Carducci Close to the Bolgheri vineyards and wineries, a popular place for an aperitivo after a day spent on the beach along the Costa degli Etruschi.
|
Castiglione della Pescaia Popular amongst the jet set of Rome with its pretty medieval hilltop heart, sailing port, beaches and restaurants, it makes for a perfect first time location in Maremma. I always take my visitors there.
Photo by kind permission of Opaxir |
F
Follonica A modern seaside own packed full of weekend and holiday accommodation and beaches in the centre of the Gulf which takes its name. Generations of familes return here year after year for their summer vacation.
|
G
Gavorrano Once a rich pyrite mining centre, Gavorrano is a splendid medieval city to explore by foot and home to the annual August festival (the Salto della Contessa) that records the murder in the nearby Castel di Pietra and story of Pia dei Tolomei, the international mining museum the Parco minerario naturalistico di Gavorrano and the Teatro delle Rocce.
|
Gerfalco A traditional hill town situated on the highest peak of Maremma's metalliferous hills and at the foot of the Cornate mountains, with three churches, two towers and two medieval entrance gates. A place of cool respite from the summer coastal heat.
|
Giuncarico A hill town in need of a little love and attention, with sweeping panoramic views across the plain of the River Bruna.
|
|
M
Magliano in Toscana One of the better known Tuscan hill towns in Maremma, its encircling walls of are its most impressive feature. Don't miss nearby ruins of the Monastero di San Bruzio.
|
Massa Marittima Massa Marittima is a spectacular medieval and Renaissance city and one of my very favourite places in Maremma. One not to be missed, especially for lovers of costumed medieval festivals and archery.
|
|
A small and very quiet medieval town dominated by its (now restored) castle the Castello di Montemassi: both of which appear in the famous 1328 fresco of "Guidoriccio da Fogliano". A lovely "slow travel" place to visit.
|
Montieri Set within dense woodlands, until the 1990's Montieri was still the actively mining pyrite, lead and silver from the local hills. Ruled by Volterra bishops for four centuries and with its own silver mint, it is a town especially rich in mining history and changes of ownership.
|
|
Montioni is a tiny hamlet in which you will find a bar/restaurant and wild boar roaming the nature resrve that takes its name and the car park! It was once a thriving allum mining village and the home of Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, the Grand Duchess of Tuscany.
|
|
The kite aerial photograph at the top of this page is of the medieval port of Castiglione della Pescaia in Maremma Grossetana and is by kind permission of Opaxir.
Explore some more Maremma Italy towns and villages...
|
Share this page with your friends...
Comments
Leave a comment about this page in the box below.