Grosseto

Target

During the Second World War, Grosseto was a favorite target of Allied bombing raids. However, the city held firm thanks to the sturdy construction of walls, bastions, and towers.

On the road in the province of Grosseto

Besides the capital Grosseto, the cities of Follonica, Orbetello, Massa Marittima, and Pitigliano are particularly worth a visit. The Maremma Natural Park and the various islands are also remarkable to see. Thanks to the mix of culture, nature, and history, the province has a lot to offer.

Nature

The program Maremma Regional Park It is without a doubt the natural attraction of the province of Grosseto. Wild boars, falcons, pelicans, foxes, badgers, and various bird species can be found in this gently rolling region. The park covers about 100 square kilometers and consists mainly of trees and mountains.

In the Biancane nature parkNear the village of Monterotondo Marittimo, lies a fascinating phenomenon: an area with dozens of噴發 geysers, “putizze” (another type of spring), and sulfur pits.

Anyone who loves unspoiled nature should definitely visit the islands of the Tuscan archipelago. Formiche di Grosseto, Montecristo, Giglio, Giannutri, and the Monte Argentario peninsula are all pearls off the coast of Grosseto. Montecristo was designated a protected nature reserve by the Italian government in 1970, and anyone wishing to visit must first request permission. It became particularly famous through the book *The Count of Monte Cristo* by the French writer Alexandre Dumas.

Beach and sea lovers can indulge themselves at the beaches of Cala Violina, Cala Martina, Baratti, and San Vincenzo. Punta Ala and Castiglione della Pescaia are further away, but are also reachable within a reasonable time. Grosseto has a total of no less than 160 kilometers of coastline.

Culture

In terms of culture, Follonica, Orbetello, Massa Marittima, and Pitigliano are particularly worth visiting. The churches in these places are of cultural importance, in particular. For instance, the cathedral of Orbetello shows Spanish influences, as the town was under Spanish rule for nearly two hundred years. The medieval fortified town of Suvereto is also a remarkable sight.

Art and history enthusiasts will be delighted by the archaeological parks of Populonia and Vetulonia. Here, impressive ruins and remains of the Etruscan civilization can be seen. Remains of the Etruscans, in the form of artworks, can also be seen in the Guarnacci Museum in Volterra and the Vitellacci Museum in Tarquinia.

culinary

A large number of wines are produced in the province of Grosseto. The best known are Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario, Bianco di Pitigliano, Capalbio, Montecucco, Monteregio di Massa Marittima, Morellino di Scansano, Parrina, and Sovana. Visitors can visit over 150 wineries to taste these special wines.

The cuisine of the Maremma consists mainly of simple ingredients: olive oil, chestnuts, cheese, honey, and various fruits. Since local products are used, game and fish often appear on the menu. Some typical specialties from the Maremma:

• Acquacotta alla maremmana
  A hearty soup with onion, tomato, bread, pecorino, and egg.
• Maccheroni con le noci
  A sweet dessert that is mainly eaten during holidays. The dough is mixed with walnuts, chocolate, and cinnamon. The recipe dates back to the time of the Etruscans.
• Scottiglia
  A meat stew with vegetables. The meat is cooked in a mixture of vegetables and broth and then served with bread.
• Melatelli
  These cookies, also known as Taglioli di Castell' Azzara, are a specialty from the town of the same name. They are also produced in Pitigliano and Sovana. The recipe is simple: flour with eggs, nuts, honey, pepper, yeast, and sugar.
• struffoli
  Small fried balls with honey, comparable to our oliebollen.

Walking

The province of Grosseto consists largely of nature, making it a very suitable destination for hikers. Various routes of varying difficulty levels can be found both on and around Monte Amiata (the only volcano in Tuscany) and in the Parco della Maremma.

Walking route

Most hikes in the Parco della Maremma are led by a guide. A beautiful route starts at the visitor center in Alberese and leads to the highest peak of the Monti dell'Uccellina, the Poggia Lecci. After about five hours, you eventually reach the 11th-century Abbey of San Rabano. In advance reserve is mandatory.

View our hiking destinations: Walking and hiking in Tuscany

Cycling

Parts of the Parco della Maremma can also be explored by bicycle. A route has been laid out for cyclists through the pine forests and along the sea, up to the mouth of the Ombrone.

Cycling route

The longest route through the park is about 28 kilometers long and takes six hours to complete. It passes San Rabano, Collelungo beach, the Granducale pine forest, and Marina di Alberese. It is a tough route for experienced cyclists. In advance reserve is mandatory.

View our cycling destinations: Cycling and mountain biking in Tuscany

Wellness

The province has various hot springs, of which the Terme di Saturnia and the Petriolo thermal baths are the most famous. In these resorts, visitors can completely relax with one of the many treatments. Also the Etruscan Baths of the Terme di Venturina are highly recommended.

Events 

During the summer season, activities take place in all the fortified towns. These include festivals, concerts, exhibitions, and street fairs. Two notable events:

Canti del Maggio (at various places in the province): on the occasion of the May Day celebration, old folk songs are sung that have often been passed down from generation to generation. The singers wear colorful dresses and folklore straw hats decorated with flowers.

Festa della Contea: festival in Pitigliano, entirely in Renaissance style with a market and a historical procession. For three days, true stories are re-enacted and there is entertainment by jugglers, acrobats, and musicians.

Grosseto, the city itself

Although the city is somewhat overshadowed from a tourist perspective by the sheer abundance of cities like Florence and Pisa, Grosseto has quite a lot to offer the visitor in terms of culture, nature, and events.

Culture

The oldest landmark in Grosseto is the cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century. The city wall was built around the 16th century by the de' Medici family. It was intended as a defense mechanism for the historic center. However, the history of the city goes back to the Romans and the Etruscans. Artifacts from those cultures can be seen in the Museo Civico Archeologico e d'Arte della Maremma.

Nature 

Since the Maremma is just around the corner, the city of Grosseto does not have many green spaces. There are two larger parks where walkers can go: the Parco Sandro Pertini and the Parco del fiume Ombrone Silvano Signori. The latter park was named after a politician from Grosseto in 2011.

Events 

Grosseto and the surrounding area host festivals dedicated to just about every ingredient of the Maremma cuisine. In addition, there are several larger events:
Jazz for life: Jazz festival for charity, held in July.

Maremma Wine Food Shire: An event by the Chamber of Commerce, the municipality, and the province of Grosseto, where everything revolves around wines and agricultural products from the Maremma.