Northern Maremma

Northern Maremma is filled with evocative landscapes, each different from the rest: from the oak forests in the inland to the typical Mediterranean scrub to the coast, characterized by white sand beaches and a crystal-clear sea, and, forming the perfect backdrop, a green and dense pine grove.

Amongst the most well-known towns, there are Follonica, a favourite for family holidays thanks to the shallow seabed, and Castiglione della Pescaia, chosen by holiday goers looking for a bit of sun and relaxation. There are also many beaches worth visiting, some of which are particularly enjoyable for their scenery: one of these is Cala Violina, near Scarlino, reached via a dense pine grove.

The inland areas are the perfect background to the crystal-clear waters of the sea: there’s a wealth of options for visitors who appreciate the traditions and atmospheres of typical Tuscan villages. One of these is Massa Marittima, with its two extraordinary monuments: the Cassero and the cathedral, which stand tall in the stunning piazza. There are also Monterotondo Marittimo, Montieri, Roccastrada and Gavorrano.

This area is also exploited, from archaic times to the present day, for its mineral resources, which has particularly marked the landscape. A population who knew how to take advantage of mining were the Etruscans, whose remains of ancient furnaces and mines can be recognized today all along the coast of the Gulf of Follonica, in the area around the Metalliferous Hills and, of course, in the archeological area in Vetulonia, one of the twelve most important Etruscan cities.

The earth’s resources can be seen everywhere in this area, including at the Grosseto Metalliferous Hills National Park, recognised by UNESCO Geopark  for the opportunity it gives to delve into the history of mining and metallurgy that have marked this area for more than three thousand years; or at MAGMA in Follonica, a museum of the cast iron arts of the Maremma.

This land is also full of energy, which emerges with all its force in Monterotondo and in Le Biancane Nature Reserve, a succession of geothermal manifestations with fumaroles, geysers and springs of water at very high temperatures.

The nature in this area is both rugged and rich, as can be seen in the area’s agricultural production, which is highlighted by the Monteregio Wine Trail, an interesting journey of flavor through farms and vineyards.