Surroundings

CASTIGLIONER DELLA PESCAIA
A small medieval village and pleasing seaside town , famous for its clear and pure waters , unspoiled beaches and age -old pine forests , winner of several awards  “5 sails of Legambiente” as first seaside village for environmental quality and tourism.

VELUTONIA – Land of old Etruscan Princes
It was once Vetluna, city-state of ancient Etruria, particularly powerful starting from the end of the VIII century B.C. up to the beginning of the III century B.C. Its refi ned elegance and power are proved by an immense amount of ruins that came to light only a little over a century ago in the necropolis nearby, and most of it is on display at the archaeological museum.
Today, Vetulonia is a village with an extraordinary atmosphere, in the midst of a fabulous landscape. A keen eye will also discover tokens of various historic epochs: parts of the old cyclopean Etruscan walls, Roman ruins and Medieval fortresses. Traditions are alive here too, like the famous Palio dei Ciuchi, and entire day among epoch costumes and local gourmet specialities.
You can revive the excitement of travelling back in time to the Etruscan period with a little bit of imagination by visiting the archaeological area of Vetulonia and Roselle. At sunset before the sun sinks below the horizon just turn towards the plain to see the shadows grow where the waters of Lacus Prilis used to be. An exciting journey in the past. You can also visit the Museo Civico Isidoro Falchi in Vetulonia.

CLODIA ISLAND
Today this island is a small hill, known by the name of “isola Clodia.” In the twelfth century was built the Abbey of “San Pancrazio al fango”, which has this distinctive name. After the draining of the lake it has become a small hill, while from the abbey remain today only ruins.

MASSA MARITTIMA
Massa Marittima is a true medieval city, it eclipses almost every other town in the Maremma with its beauty and its fame. For centuries, it has been the centre of the region’s affluence and wielded considerable power not just inside its own borders, but in the affairs of Florence and Siena too. Being so close to Pisa, it attracts more tourists alone then the rest of the region combined. Even if you have never heard of the Maremma, there is a good chance that you’ve heard of Massa Marittima.
But that’s not what draws me to the walled city. From the moment you step into Piazza Garibaldi, you realise that Massa Marittima bears no resemblance to the rest of the Maremma. The humble charm and simplicity of the region has no place in the grand buildings and magnificent Duomo that surround its main piazza. This is a city that mirrors the beauty of Siena. No where else in the rest of the Maremma can you visit a city that bear such a close resemblance to the artistic splendours of Northern Tuscany. And the tourists can’t get enough of it.
The Cathedral of Massa Marittima is truly the heart of this medieval city. Dedicated to the patron saint, San Cerbone, it is masterpiece of marble, inspired by the venerable Duomo di Pisa.
Albero della Fecondità
The Albero della Fecondità is a peculiar fresco, found on one of the walls of the Fonti dell’Abbondanza in Massa Marittima’s Piazza del Duomo.