The hillside villages along the Etruscan Coast guard a unique heritage, where the beauty of the sea blends with thousands of years of history and artisan and artistic traditions that have characterized the area for centuries.
Narrow lanes interrupted by breathtaking views tell a story of arts and crafts passed down from generation to generation. Painting and the art of marble working, ceramics, weaving and sculpture create an atmosphere here that invites discovery, resulting in original works that celebrate the identity and culture of this corner of Tuscany.
Montescudaio and Riparbella: art along the village streets
Montescudaio - Credit: Ambito Costa degli Etruschi
In the village of Montescudaio, not only can you enjoy a glass of DOC wine and a wonderful view of the sea, but you can also admire the large mural entitled "La Fonte della Vita” (The Source of Life), a tribute to the local women.
The village is also known for the artwork project spread across the area, created by artist Stefano Tonelli: more than 300 "Volti in Attesa di un Sorriso” (Faces Waiting for a Smile), which was started in 2020 during lockdown. The artist, observing the counter doors outside houses, painted faces without smiles, resembling people wearing masks, and then completed the designs with a multicolored haze, giving new power to the message of hope.
In Riparbella, a colorful street art project transforms the village streets into an original path: here, you can go on a tour of discovery of large murals created by the big names in urban art, which will soon be equipped with QR-Codes giving access to a video explanation.
Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci: artistic handicrafts
Castagneto Carducci - Credit: Ambito Costa degli Etruschi
A unique area nestled between hills, countryside and sea: here, you can taste excellent wines and sample traditional dishes, visit wine cellars and choose between plenty of outdoor activities. When walking through the narrow streets of Castagneto Carducci and Bolgheriyou are surrounded by history, art and crafts.
Arti in Bolgheri and Artigianato Slow are two projects aimed at enhancing and promoting local artistic handicrafts, created with the aim of supporting small artisan activities that care about work ethics and sustainability: from May to September, master artisans from the association La Fierucola of Florence exhibit their creations made using traditional techniques but renewed in a contemporary way.
Suvereto: creativity between past and present
Suvereto - Credit: Ambito Costa degli Etruschi
In October, Artimborgo is a festival that celebrates artisan creativity and sustainability, bringing together artists and artisans from all over Italy to Suvereto every year. This delightful village is the ideal stage for this event, for discovering the work of local and international artisans, exploring a mixture of contemporary and traditional art.
A visit to the Museo Artistico della Bambola (Artistic Museum of Dolls) is worthwhile. Inside it, you will find an extraordinary collection of antique and modern dolls made using unique craft techniques. It is a journey into the world of childhood and art, filled with history and creativity.
Sassetta: the village of red marble
Sassetta - Credit: Ambito Costa degli Etruschi
Sassetta, a picturesque village in Val di Cornia, is located on a high ground in the hinterland of the Etruscan Coast. It is famous for its unique red marble, found nowhere else in the world, which sculptors and artisans have been masterfully shaping for centuries: characterized by an intense pinkish-red color, it has been used since the 14th century in important monuments like Florence Cathedral and Giotto's Bell Tower.
Every year in July, the Red Marble Contemporary Sculpture Symposium transforms the village into a creative outdoor workshop, where Italian and foreign sculptors create their works live.
