Accesa Lake Archeological Park
Around a small body of water, ancient homes and tombs were discovered
The Accesa Lake Archeological Park in the municipality of Massa Marittima is a very important archeological area located around a small body of water with a special shape, from 20 to 70 meters deep, which according to legend submerged a town.
Next to the lake there is a necropolis and a settlement linked to the use of the surrounding metal deposits.
The excavations, carried out periodically since 1980, have revealed that on the higher ground on the south-east of the lake there used to be several residential areas, but now only the foundations of the buildings are visible.
At Accesa, the archaeological evidence – foundations of houses, tombs, areas of metallurgical activity – is now one with the environmental context.
From the excavation of houses and tombs, many domestic objects came to light: clay tiles and pots, kitchen and tableware, frames and weights. A few hundred meters away from the lake there is a small uninhabited village: in Forni dell’Accesa you can still visit the remains of the first blast furnaces for metalwork, from around the 18th century, the era in which the industrial extraction of ferrous minerals, lead and zinc was resumed.
How to get there
The archeological area is a few kilometers away from Massa Marittimain in the direction of Gavoranno. The park, right next to the lake, can be reached on foot or by car from the town of Pesta, on the provincial road 49 with plenty of space for parking.
To get there on foot, cross a small wooden bridge across the Bruna river and walk along a row of eucalyptus for no more than 200 meters.
In the car, follow the road which leaves from Pesta and leads to the excavation area after a road of about 400 meters.
