Grosseto
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Grosseto is a 80000 inhabitants town located in southern Tuscany close to the sea. Its province is also knows as Maremma, even though Maremma historically includes the southern part of the province of Livorno(Leghorn) and the coastal part of the province of Viterbo too.
This area is known for its ancient Etruscan cities and for the rich and preserved natural environment. It is ironically called the "Far West" of Italy also for the presence of the butteri, the traditional local cow boys.
Contents |
Natural Parks
Maremma Natural Park (Uccellina)
Though it's a relatively small area, the Maremma Natural Park is one of the most important in Italy. Through pine woods, hills and ancient towers facing the sea, this amazing and inspiring place shows how the original meditarranean environment is. In the evening you can meet some small wild pigs, they're the symbol of the park.
You must buy a ticket at Alberese to get in. The ticket includes a bus ride that will bring you where all the tourist paths start.
How to get there
By car: take the road from Grosseto to Rome (SS1) and exit at Rispescia, then follow the signs to Alberese.
By train/bus: at Grosseto Station there are some busses that go to Alberese. Look at the Rama Bus Lines website for the timetables.
Diaccia Botrona Park
The Diaccia Botrona is a wet area very close to Castiglione della Pescaia. This is what remains of the Prile Lake, that more than 2000 years ago spanned from Castiglione down to where the Ombrone river is now. It's a fantastic place for bird watching during autumn and winter, while during summer you will find no birds but a lot of mosquitos.
Metallic Hills
The hills next to Monterotondo Marittimo are full of boraciferous soffioni. They are like geysers. The paths in the woods will make you feel as if you are in the Dante's Inferno. The most powerful soffioni have been diverted into power plants, but the less powerful ones can be reached at no risk.
To visit this place it's better to get to Monterotondo and then ask the locals for directions. The magic wood is called Lagoni and is on the hill next to the town.
Sights
Massa Marittima
missing description, please contribute :)
Pitigliano, Sovana, Sorano
Pitigliano, Sovana and Sorano are among the most beautiful places to visit in Italy, although they're almost unknown to tourists. They were connected in ancient times by many Via Cavas dug by the Etruscan people.
A Via Cava is a road that passes in the tuff hills instead of climbing them. They are a must see because they can be even 20m deep. Those places are full of silence and mystery.
Pitigliano is built on top of a spectacular big tuff cliff. The old town, originally built by the Etruscan people, is also called the little Jerusalem for its resemblance with the middle-east city and for its ancient Jewish community.
Sovana is famous for looking like it was 800 years ago and for its Etruscan necropolis. The duomo is impressive and worths a visit.
The Orsini Fortress in Sorano is another important sight, but it's not always possible to visit it. Only its upper part is made with bricks, the rest has been dug in the tuff hill.
The photo of Sorano is by Jayjay P.
The Tarot Garden
If you like modern and contemporary art, this is something you can't miss.
The garden is full of big esoteric sculptures of the Tarot Cards. Every statue is made with precious porcelain, mirrors and Murano glasses. Niki De Saint Phalle started this work in the seventies and ended it as she passed away in 2002.
Beaches
All the beaches of Maremma are beautiful. Some are in an extraordinary natural environment and are not as crowded as the others. Here they are:
- Marina di Alberese. Map In the Natural park, ask Rama Bus Lines.
- Cala Violina. Map There is a special bus line to get there, ask Rama Bus Lines.
- Le Marze. Map
- Principina a Mare. Map
- Feniglia. Map
Hotsprings - SPA
Saturnia SPA
The Saturnia SPA is among the most important SPAs of the world. There is both a luxurious SPA and a free one, with natural pools and waterfalls. The natural pools are a marvellous place to stay during winter and during the night.
Petriolo SPA
Petriolo is half way between Siena and Grosseto, right under the huge bridge of the street that connects the two cities. The SPA itself is quite small, but the Farma river is good to bathe and the surrounding environment is beautiful. At the moment the area close to the pools is dirty for the stay of some squatters, but if you walk west along the river you will find beatiful little beaches, mineral springs and hot springs.
Alternatives to CouchSurfing
(Last updated: 15/04/2009)
AgriCampings
Pitigliano area:
IL PANTANO Agriturismo-Agricamping - S.P. Il Pantano n. 6338 - 58017 Pitigliano - mobile 329-6880960 or 347-5898689
POGGIO DEL CASTAGNO Agriturismo-Agricamping - 58017 Pitigliano - tel. 0564-615545 mobile 339-3674341
Agriturismo
Pitigliano area:
~ 25-35 euro:
AIA DEL TUFO di Floriana Pifferi - Podere Poggio La Mezzadria - 58010 S.Valentino Sorano (GR) - tel. 0564-634039 mobile 328-6249503
AGRITURISMO EDEN Loc. Casone - 433 S.S. 74 - tel. 0564-619296 mobile 347-3729599
CAMPI DEL POGGIO Campi Del Poggio, 159/A - Poggio Murella - tel. 0564-607924
IL PONTICELLO Via del Ponticello, 8/C - Ponticello - Montemerano - tel. 0564-602635
MONTE SUGHERELLO Loc. Montesugherello S.S. 74 Km 27,300 - Manciano (GR) - tel. 0564-609104 mobile 333-2332825
SARAGIOLO Saragiolo - Montemerano - tel. 0564-602607
~45 euro:
TRE QUERCE S.R. 74 Maremmana I° Vigne Passinano, 13 - Poderino - tel. 0564-620337
LA GRADA - Guinzano - Montemerano - tel. 0564-602971
External Links
(Last updated: 25/05/2009)
