Museums and Underground world
Talking about Maremma also and somehow especially means talking about history. This colourful land has a glorious and yet ill-fated past, a history composed of glory and grandeur, but also of tragedy and epidemics, death and destruction. Maremma was the cradle of the Etruscan civilization and there are many museums and archaeological sites that describe this florid and sumptuous past through the underground world of the necropolises. A great example of this are the Vie Cave, connecting the three amazing tuff towns of Maremma: between Pitigliano, Sorano, and Sovana a large network of dug-out roads develops, leading visitors to the core of the ancient Etruscan civilization with its habits and customs. The town of Cosa is also to be pointed out, overlooking the rocky headland of Ansedonia, one of the few Etruscan settlements survived and perfectly preserved to this day. The sites of Roselle and Vetulonia are also extremely important, as are the many museums that store the findings uncovered around Maremma, such as the MAPS in Scarlino, the Civic Archaeological Museum of Roselle and the Isidoro Falchi museum of Vetulonia. On the other hand, this land is not only the heir of Etruscans and Romans, but also of the great noble families that ruled this area, as part of their feuds, in the Middle Ages. Evidence of their rule is to be found within the incredible permanent exhibitions such as the Orsini museum in Pitigliano, located in the namesake Palace. The museum network of Maremma offers food for thought at every corner and it is very extensive: amongst the most beautiful and peculiar ones we recommend the Archaeological and Art Museum of Maremma, the museum of Natural History of Maremma, MAGMA (Museum of Cast Iron Arts) in Follonica, the Mining museums of Gavorrano and Massa Marittima, MACO (Museum of the Arts and Culture of the Orient) in Arcidosso and the House-Museum of Monticello Amiata. Other exhibitions that deserve a visit are those dedicated to the agricultural products that led the local gastronomy to become famous: the Olive Oil museum in Seggiano or the museum of Vines and Wine in Montenero d’Orcia on Mount Amiata. Museum of Cast Iron Arts in Follonica The museum is located inside the Furnace of San Ferdinando, within the company town created in Follonica. The exhibition follows the different phases of the history of iron manufacturing from the Etruscan age to 1960, when the industry ceased to exist. The archaeological wing showcases the Etruscan remains found by the archaic settlement of Rondelli, side by side with what remains of the industrial activity and an original furnace. The section dedicated to the 1800s instead documents the artistic production of that time, with a focus on the local foundries of Follonica, featuring wooden chalices and cast iron objects. Gavorrano Mining and Nature Park The Mining Museum in Gavorrano is one of the most interesting museums in Tuscan Maremma. The exhibition is set up inside of a 200m-long gallery, and it is structured around a peculiar form of historical reconstruction aimed at showing a miner’s daily life. Gavorrano’s Mining Park is organised into two different areas: Parco delle Rocce, where the multipurpose area of the theatre Teatro delle Rocce is also set up, and the mining site of Ravi Marchi. This mining park is one of the gateways of the larger Tuscan Mining Geopark. Massa Marittima Mining Museum The itinerary proposed within this museum leads its visitors to learn more about the history of the old mines of the Colline Metallifere area. The exhibition unravel throughout 700metres of underground tunnels, set up by miners themselves, who recreated the environment where they used to carry out their work. Several kinds of equipment have been loyally reproduced, together with the different extraction techniques, which have been recreated and displayed in chronological order. Archaeological Museum of Porto Scabris The Archaeological Museum of Porto Scabris is located along via delle Collacchie, at Puntone di Scarlino. The exhibition thoroughly presents the archaeological underwater excavations that were carried out in the gulf of Follonica, which led to uncover important archaeological remains mainly linked to the extraction industry of this area. The high concentration of findings in this specific zone was due to the long-running and intensive trade that involved the port of Scarlino already back in the 3rd century BC. Inside this museum there is also a local documentation centre, where the different phases of life in the area of the nearby stronghold are illustrated, from the Bronze Age to the 17th century. The museum wing documenting the territorial development of this area under the Etruscans is extremely interesting, as are the parts dedicated to illustrating the excavation works carried out in the nearby necropolis of Poggio Tondo
Offers
Giglio Island
The island of Giglio is a slice of paradise in the middle of the sea which in spite of its location at a mere 20 km from the coast of Argentario looks like a totally different world.
Elba Island
At merely 10 km from the coast, surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea, there is the marvellous island of Elba, which together with Pianosa, Capraia, Gorgona, Montecristo, Giglio and Giannutri forms the national park of the Tuscan Archipelago.
Cala Martina
Cala Martina is an expanse of sand and pebbles surrounded by the promontories of Punta Francese and Punta Martina, from which it takes its name.
Cala Violina
Located between the cities of Follonica and Punta Ala within the Bandite di Scarlino nature reserve is the most beautiful beach in the Tuscan Maremma, the famous Cala Violina.
Follonica’s Beaches
The bay named after the town of Follonica features a sandy coast and a gradually sloping seabed.
The beaches of the Maremma
The uncontaminated nature characterizing La Maremma will stay with you side by side up to the sea.
La Costa degli Etruschi
Costa degli Etruschi is one of the most characteristic and peculiar areas of Tuscan Maremma.
Castiglione della Pescaia
The capital of summer tourism in Maremma is the beautiful Castiglione delle Pescaia, considered one of the classier town of the whole region for its lively bars and its beautiful shores.
Massa Marittima
When thinking of art and culture in Maremma the beautiful Massa Marittima comes to mind.
The beaches of Scarlino
Along the Scarlino coastline, with Cala Violina The pathway to Scarlino’s coves (8km passable only on foot, on horseback or by bike) starts out from Portiglioni, after the Marina di Scarlino tourist port.
DISCOVER MAREMMA Beaches of Castiglione della Pescaia
The main beach of Castiglione della Pescaia is easily accessible from downtown on foot, as it spans right in correspondence with its historical centre
Maremma Park
The Natural Park of Maremma is undoubtedly one of the most impressive attractions for those who wish to indulge in a holiday devoted to nature and wellness.
Natural Parks
Maremma is the land of natural parks par excellence, and whether you are nature enthusiasts or not, you will be awestruck by the boundless green expanse that are the gentle hills of this land
Artist’s Garden
Not only natural marvels: among the hills of Maremma there are places that were conceived following the creativity of great national and international artists
Forest Bathing
Eco-sustainability and a green location are at the core of a new kind of tourism, in a constant pursuit of well-being for both body and mind, linked to the natural environment
Design Wineries
Spending time in Maremma is the perfect chance to discover the great wines that are produced here, only recently become famous but of undisputed high quality now
Spa & Welness
This little slice of paradise features amongst wellness enthusiasts’ favourites, which comes as no surprise since it was long considered as a realm of relax by the great ancient civilizations
Museums and Underground world
Talking about Maremma also and somehow especially means talking about history. This colourful land has a glorious and yet ill-fated past, a history composed of glory and grandeur, but also of tragedy and epidemics, death and destruction
Hikes and walks
If you are passionate about nature and want to fully enjoy it while exploring on foot, Maremma is the right place for you
The sea in Maremma
The uncontaminated nature characterizing La Maremma will stay with you side by side up to the sea
Minicrociere in Maremma
The beauty of the coasts of Maremma is not only to be enjoyed from the shore, amongst the more popular activities when the weather is good is the so-called Minicruise.