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 The
Maremma Natural Regional Park was founded in
1975. A small jewel, this park has become a
reference point for an ever-growing number of
people. In 1993, the Park of Maremma obtained
the European Park Diploma issued by the European
Council. A visit to the Park offers an enjoyable
and formative experience; however, limiting
yourself to only one visit could disappoint
your expectations as the park is not a zoo -
the animals are free in their natural habitat
and unfortunately not always at our disposition.
Visits to the Park are possible only on foot;
the access roads for the itineraries are two:
Alberese and Talamone. With regard to the Maremma
Park routes departing from Alberese (a brief
description is included), access is normally
possible on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays. However, for more up-to-date information
concerning the schedule and formalities of park
visits, we suggest you contact the center for
park visits.
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| Castiglione
della Pescaia |
Castiglione
della Pescaia , an old town overlooking the sea, is
located between Punta Ala and Marina di Grosseto.
The old city is a balcony over the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Daily excursions to the Tuscan archipelago depart
from the pleasure craft harbour.
Castiglione della Pescaia can boast very ancient origins:
the first traces of population in this area date back
to approximately 60,000 years ago, while the first
urban settlement was situated in Vetulonia, the ancient
city that the Etruscans founded near Lake Prile (no
longer in existence). The Romans instead founded the
village of Salebrone, famous for its mild climate,
for the lake teeming with fish and for the surroundings
rich in game. After the fall of the Roman Empire and
the Barbarian raids, in 962 Castiglione was handed
over to Pisa by Ottone I of Sassonia, Emperor of Germany.
Pisa took advantage of its wealth, but neglected to
prevent the shelving of the harbour and of the waters
of Lake Prile, which became stagnant and led to increasing
malarial epidemics.
The
city rises above a small peninsula surrounded by the
Levante and Ponente Lagoons, divided by an artificial
breakwater that since 1841 has united the city and
the promontory of Monte Argentario.
The lagoons are enclosed by two strips of land called
the Feniglia and Giannella, offering visitors kilometres
of enchanting beaches.
Orbetello is positioned in a unique and spectacular
environment, especially in regard to its topography.
Viewed from above, it looks like the bow of a ship
anchored in the lagoons placid waters and united to
the Argentario promontory by the breakwater which
resembles a catwalk, allowing one to go ashore.
 Raffaele
Del Rosso, in paraphrasing Gabriele D'Annunzio's opinion
of Venice, called it Anadiomene City, meaning the
city which rises from the sea. Orbetello, most likely
for this particular geographic conformation, has always
been considered the perfect territory for conquest,
having belonged to the Aldobrandeschis, the Spanish,
the Austrians, the French, the Lorena and to the Abbey
of the Three Fountains over the centuries. The origin
of the city's name raises many questions: Orvelus,
Urva Tellus or Urbis Tellus? "Circular City,City
of Herbs or Urban City? Its origins remain a mystery
to this day, and had not Piccinino in 1455 raided
the Archives, perhaps many doubts would have been
solved by now.
In the area of the Giannella, one can find a large
variety of migratory birds including pink flamingos,
creatures of rare beauty that contribute to an already
wonderful landscape. In the center of that strip of
land, the WWF manages an environmental education center
in Spanish farmhouse of the 1600’s. That tongue
of land extends for kilometres along the sea with
very fine sand leading to the mouth of the Albegna
river, separated by the road that acts as a furrow,
characterized by thick Mediterranean vegetation.
The Feniglia is the undisputed kingdom of varying
shades of green and of the stimulating aroma of Mediterranean
vegetation intensified by the presence of luxurious
pinewoods that offer reviving shade for the inland.
In this protected environment, numerous animal species
live in complete freedom; and in fact, while travelling
along the road, it is not unusual to see a herd of
deer at pasture. Crystal clear waters lapping a beach
of golden sand complete the scenario of this strip
of paradise.
 Of
very ancient origins, perhaps even prior to that of
the Etruscan civilization, Saturnia with its steamy
springs has been enveloped in mystery and legend,
and the exceptional therapeutic virtues of its waters
had already been appreciated during the period of
the Romans. Today, Saturnia is a tranquil and
hospitable village immersed in a pleasant and suggestive
landscape.
The thermal baths, restored around the second half
of the last century and gradually restored and enlarged
over the course of the years, are renowned in all
of the world for their homeothermal and radioactive
sulphuric waters recommended for rheumatism, metabolic
diseases, gastric and respiratory ailments and in
general, anti-stress therapy.
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In its
origin Monte Argentario was most likely an island
subsequently anchored to the Tyrrhenian coast by the
Feniglia and Giannella strips, formed by the accumulation
of silt transported by the rivers and sea currents.
The first human settlement surely dates back to a
distant past. This is confirmed by the numerous archaeological
findings recovered both in the Cave of Straits and
in that of the Cala dei Santi. Many of the caves were
inhabited, one of which was rather large: the Cave
of the Grand Duke, called by this name to honour Leopoldo
of Lorena who promoted its excavation - over one kilometre
in length with a small lake 50 metres from the entrance.
 Because
of its geographical position, which places it at the
center of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Argentario was considered
a secure landing by the first navigators. Of extraordinary
strategic value, the Promontory was equipped with
look-out towers and signals in order to face the constant
danger of raids via sea, among which that of Pirate
Khair ad Din called Redbeard, who in 1544 plundered
and looted the village of Porto Ercole. The very first
defensive structures date back to the Bronze Age;
however, only in the XV century under the rule of
the Republic of Siena did a real defensive system
which involved the entire coast of the Promontory
began to take form. The credit goes to the Spaniards
for having transformed Monte Argentario into a powerful
war machine in just a few years time. A formidable
fortified complex, superior in number and quality
to that of any other in existence in Tuscany. As a
consequence the State of Command was instituted. It
included Orbetello, Porto Ercole, Porto S. Stefano
and Talamone. In 1602 the fortified town of Porto
Longone on Elba Island was added. The Promontory,
entirely mountainous (635 m) is characterized by a
steep, rocky coasts, where one can admire the famous
dwarf palm trees that spontaneously grow on site.
Monte Argentario is covered by thick Mediterranean
vegetation that alternates with olive groves, vineyards
and fruit tree cultivation. The Argentarian economy,
once exclusively based on fishing, now finds its main
resource in tourism.
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 When
travelling from Castiglione della Pescaia towards
Follonica, at Pian d'Alm, turn left. Punta Ala needs
no introduction, as it is one of the most exclusive
tourist locations of the Tyrrhenian coast; it is enough
to remember that Punta Ala was the site for the training
headquarters of Luna Rossa.
Punta Ala is one of the most successful post-war tourist
locations: 'discretely' positioned among vast pinewoods,
it offers visitors immaculate paths, landscaped lawns
and flowerbeds, and diligently cared for elegant gardens.
Its harbour, which offers 900 exclusive boat slots,
is an important tourist facility that offers the possibility
of boat, motorboat and yacht rental with or without
crew.
Of note is its golf course, one of the largest in
Europe, and host to important tournaments.
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Siena
sits on three hills between the Arbia and Elsa Springs.
It is an agricultural and industrial center, rich in
art and monuments and is the site of the famous Palio.
The Province of Siena offers something special for its
visitors on a year-round basis: fresh mountain air during
the summer months, winter skiing, and natural wonders
and delights in spring and autumn. Founded by the Etruscans,
the city of Siena was a Roman colony during the period
of Augustus. It became an Episcopal site in 700s after
the Longobard occupation. In the XI century, it declared
itself a secular municipality. Bitter fighting existed
between Siena and Florence, and the latter was defeated
at Montaperti in 1260. After having been governed by
many seignories, the city fell under imperial rule and
became a part of the Medici State. Siena then belonged
to the Lorenese until 1859, the date in which it was
annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. |
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