Upper Maremma
The inland hills
ARCIDOSSO
This has become one of the most important administrative and cultural centres of the Monte Amiata area. It is a famous holiday resort rich in tradition and steeped in history.
CAMPAGNATICO
As early as the 13th century, the town was a wool manufacturing and trading centre. The ancient area of the town is surrounded by walls and square towers. The "Ospedale di Sant'Antonio" was once run by the "Templar" knights who acted as hosts to travellers and pilgrims on their way to Siena. Campagnatico actively preserves its history and every year various festivals re-live the past, with many people dressed in ancient costumes.
GAVORRANO
The medieval centre of Gavorrano rises up from Mount Calvo, and enjoys beautiful views across to the sea and Tuscan hills. Its sturdy defensive walls encase the imposing castle, turreted palaces and ancient villas. It used to be an important mining town and you can visit the Mining and Naturalistic Park to find out about its past. The Golf Club Toscana, set on the lower slopes, attracts a huge number of visitors each year. As well as the 18 hole golf course, there are also tennis courts, a swimming pool and fitness centre.
MANCIANO
This is a town in a scenic location that has been nicknamed ‘The spy of Maremma’ because from here you can see the surrounding territory in every direction. Inside its old walls the town has narrow little streets and the top of the hill is dominated by a castle with an imposing tower.
MASSA MARITTIMA
This town was called ‘The Jewel of the Middle Ages’ due to its beautiful Romanesque and Gothic buildings. It derived its wealth from copper and silver mines, as well as agriculture. The cathedral is quite striking, atop a flight of steps on one side of the piazza.
MONTE AMIATA
At 5,700 feet, a beautiful forested area popular in the summer as a cool retreat and in the winter for its ski slopes.
PITIGLIANO
The whole town is perched on the cliffs of a huge tufa rock, the medieval houses looking as though they melt into the rock itself – a truly remarkable sight. Etruscan tombs below are connected by a network of caves and tunnels and are now used by the locals as cellars to store wine. Since the 16th century, Pitigliano has been the home of a thriving Jewish community and today you can walk along the old streets and visit this famous Jewish Quarter.
ROCCALBEGNA
The enormous rock “Il Sasso” dominates this old village and rises high above the terracotta roofs, with the River Albegna running close to the centre.
SANTA FIORA
This is a charming, medieval town at an altitude of 800 metres, situated at the foot of Monte Amiata. It is surrounded by natural springs, woods and mountains. Few people speak English here as it is off the beaten track. In the summer there is a lively piazza scene and in August the town hosts an international music festival.
SATURNIA
According to legend, this location was founded by the god Saturn, and is famous due to the hot springs whose sulphurous waters gush all year round at a constant temperature of 37C. In the Middle Ages the waters were thought to be bewitched because of the strong satanic (sulphur) odour. The springs are divided between two sites: the natural pools with waterfalls where access is free, and the Terme di Saturnia Spa & Resort with hot spring swimming pools, waterfalls, giant jacuzzis and water jets. The village itself is quite charming with a central piazza and good restaurants.
SCANSANO
Up until 100 years ago, the entire population of Grosseto would evacuate to Scansano for the hot summer months. In those days, the heat and humidity of the plains brought with it the risk of malaria and Scansano, with an altitude of 500 m., was found to be a much healthier (and cooler) place. The town subsequently benefitted economically from this mass exodus and today it is an important town overlooking the area famous for its red Morellino wine.
SORANO
The town was constructed from dark tufa from the rock on which it rises, dominated by a high fortress that was built to make it one of the strongest defences in the area. You can take an excursion from Sorano to Vitozza where you will find 200 grottoes that were inhabited from prehistory until the Middle Ages.
SOVANA
Once a principal Etruscan city, Sovana was reborn in the Middle Ages and its splendour lasted until the 1300’s when it began a slow decline that lead to its complete abandonment in the 19th century. Today it is a favourite destination of tourists and academics since the great Etruscan Necropolis was discovered 2 kms. away, with extensive and spectacular rock tombs dating back to 300 B.C. The village of Sovana itself is small and pretty with cobbled streets.