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The Tuscany
After having
relaxed at the side of the pool, from where you can enjoy a magical view of
a landscape dear to the Etruscans that descends towards the blue sea in
which the Isle of Elba’s mountains are reflected, your journey of discovery
in our ancient territory can begin.
San Vincenzo (km. 24):
Seaside town on the Tyrrhenian coast, equipped among other things, with an
excellent tourist marina. Its fine white sandy coast is bordered by
tens of kilometres of dense Mediterranean woodland directly accessible from
the beach. Inhabited since ancient times, later an Etruscan and Roman
settlement, today San Vincenzo is a modern and efficient
town. It is worth a visit for its internationally renowned restaurants
especially the famous “Gambero Rosso” always highly rated in the most
important good food guides. |
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Campiglia Marittima (km. 14):
This small town maintains in its historical centre numerous testimonies of
the ancient medieval village. It is situated on a hill that dominates a
plain full of industrial activities, both third-party services and
agriculture. Favoured with a particularly mild climate, the town is in a
strategic position amid the perfumes of the silver olive groves and the
Mediterranean woodland. It is also characterized by an intense folkloristic
and cultural activity and the presence of extremely interesting
archaeological sites. |
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Venturina (km. 11):
A modern
town with an ancient past, demonstrated by the existence of the
Etruscan-Roman thermal baths at Caldana, around which commercial
establishments have been built. Already famous in Etruscan times, the water
from the hot springs, that contains sulphur, alkali and earth,
gushes from two distinct springs at a temperature of 38°C. The spring
supplies the “Bagni di Caldana” establishment, well equipped for therapeutic
treatments and the “Calidario” lake, formed from the ancient inundation of
the waters. The Calidario thermal baths, set in a splendid historical frame,
are equipped with the best facilities for relaxation and physical and mental
wellness. They are open all year round, both night and day. Our guests are
entitled to a discount at the reception.
An important agricultural centre, Venturina is also the home of the Fair, an
active exhibition centre that hosts exhibitions and collections of
international importance. In the Centre there is also the Museo della
Cultura di Lavoro, an evocative collection of more than 6,000 exhibits
and everyday objects connected to farming and other trades essential for the
development of agriculture. |
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Piombino (km. 18):
Situated on
a promontory surrounded by an enchanting sea, capitol of an ancient Italian
state, a mining town of Etruscan origin, Piombino maintains numerous
artistic testimonies of its past. It was given a visible renaissance aspect
by the Florentine architect A. Guardi under the Appiani dynasty; in 1805
Napoleon conceded it to his sister Elisa who left tangible signs of her
rule, giving rise to its nickname “little Paris”.
Once the
ancient port of Falesia (known to us since the V century A.D.), today
Piombino is an important Tuscan passenger port, linked to the Isle of Elba,
the Archipelago, Sardinia and Corsica.
For the visitor keen to explore there are some interesting places off the
typical tourist track: piazza Bovio, one of the most spectacular terraces
situated in the oldest part of town facing the Isle of Elba and an ideal
place for romantic walks; il Torrione, in the heart of the historical
centre; il Palazzo Comunale; il Rivellino, an imposing military structure
built in 1447; the Medicean harbour. A short step from the harbour is the
Calamoresca, one of the lesser renowned places, a pretty rock cove with
a good restaurant where you can spend an enchanting day. |
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Populonia:
Situated near
Piombino, on the top of a hill surrounded by the sea is one of the most
enchanting and historically interesting locations of the Etruscan Coast:
Populonia, ancient Etruscan city-state, overlooking the Golfo di Baratti.
The gulf was an ancient Etruscan and Roman port, used for the transport and
processing of iron from the Isle of Elba. Today Baratti has a small marina and a
beautiful beach sheltered by a forest of secular pine trees. Populonia still
retains its medieval walls built for defence against the Barbareschi pirates,
and a Fortress, built in the first half of the XV century commissioned by Jacopo
II Appiani. Inside the walls there is a small, characteristic village with
elegant shops, a well-known restaurant (Il Lucumone) and a valued private
museum, where many Etruscan and Roman artefacts discovered both in excavations
in the area and in the sea are on display.
From the top of the Fortress there is an exceptional panoramic view of The
Tuscan Archipelago and the Etruscan Coast. |
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Suvereto (km. 20):
This splendid
medieval village, originates from before the year one thousand and is set on the
side of the hills dominating the sea, in the green Cornia valley. Rich in
history and art, Suvereto is a real jewel.
Today the
village centre still retains its historical and artistic characteristics, making
it possible for the visitor to experience the atmosphere of the past centuries
while strolling through its streets.
The hill on
which Suvereto is located is dominated by the Aldobrandesca Fortress, that like
the walls and the towers surrounding the village, dates back to before the year
one thousand. Among the nearby buildings there is the XIII century Palazzo
Comunale, famous for its unusual entrance, a loggia called “the Judges” because
it was from here that the medieval magistrates pronounced their sentences. |
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Massa Marittima (km. 25):
Situated 20 km.
from the sea and 400m above sea level, Massa Marittima welcomes its guests in
Piazza Garibaldi the beautiful central square, overlooked by the Cathedral, the
Palazzo dei Priori and the Palazzo del Comune.
The Palazzo dei
Priori is undoubtedly a work of unique beauty in the Romanesque/gothic style of
Pisa. The Palazzo del Comune is also Romanesque but denotes a more articulated
construction, as it is formed by the union of three structures: the original
building, the Tower and the Earl of Bisenzio’s house. The latter also in
Romanesque style is today the home of two important cultural centres: the
Pinacoteca Comunale and the Archaeological museum. Historians, scholars and
artists rediscovered the town mostly in the last century and have contributed to
returning it to its ancient splendour thanks to an intelligent restoration of
its artistic and architectural patrimony. |
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Scarlino (km. 20):
Located on a
hill covered in olive trees and Mediterranean woodland, Scarlino looks out over
the Follonica plain and Gulf. The old village consists of a partly restored
castle and a group of well-preserved houses. Worth a visit both by day and night
for its panorama and the romantic atmosphere it emanates.
Following the
road in the direction of the sea, on the left there is a sign leading to some
Etruscan ruins. Scarlino is not only a hillside town of art but its territory
extends to the sea and in 1999 at Puntone, a modern tourist port was realized.
For the
inhabitants of Scarlino the Giuli Rosselmini family is of particular importance
and have named a street after Earl Ludovico Rosselmini, great uncle of the
present owner of the Tenuta di Vignale as an expression of their gratitude for
the immense inheritance, both in land and real estate, left by him to the
Cottolengo charity that has been present in the village for many years. |
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Follonica (km. 9):
Situated along
the splendid Maremman coast, facing the Isle of Elba and protected by the
promontory of Piombino and Punta Ala, is the town of Follonica in the centre of
the Gulf that takes its name. Its favourable geographical position, mild
climate, vast beaches and calm, shallow sea with no dangerous currents make
Follonica an ideal, all year round, holiday destination. Immersed in splendid
green pine forests, it offers an ideal alternative to a day on the beach for
nature lovers.
A visit to the
Cala Violina is a must. Between the Puntone di Scarlino and Punta Ala,
midway between the lush Mediterranean woodland and the crystalline sea, with
breath-taking panoramas of the Gulf of Follonica and the southern islands of the
Tuscan Archipelago. Reached only by sign-posted pathways, its name derives from
the sound similar to a violin that is perceived when treading on its beautiful
white sand. |
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Val di Cornia Parks
 Finally, for those who enjoy nature, the Val di Cornia Parks (of Baratti and Populonia, of Rimigliano, of Montioni, of the Sterpaia and the Parco Archeominerario di San Silvestro) await for you with naturalistic, artistic and archaeological trails.
More Information on:
www.parchivaldicornia.it |
SITI ARCHEOLOGICI
 Baratti e Populonia:
The
archaeological site of Baratti and Populonia extends over approximately 80
hectares between the promontory of Piombino and the Gulf of Baratti. It is
the site of one of the most important contexts of Etruscan civilization, for
the traces of the iron industry and the commercial and cultural aspects that
developed from this activity.
In the
Baratti and Populonia Park it is possible to see some of the most
significant examples of monumental tombs. In the lower part of the Park, a
guided itinerary takes you to the famous Necropolises of San Cerbone and
Podere Casone. A pathway joins the Visitor’s Centre to the Experimental
Archaeological Centre, from where both a naturalistic trail and the Via
delle Cave that leads to the recently discovered Necropoli delle Grotte,
begin. |
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 Punta Ala Golf Club (km. 30):
The Punta Ala
Golf Club, opened in 1964, is in the Province of Grosseto and a few kilometres
from tourist destinations such as Roccamare and Castiglione della
Pescaia. The 72 Par course is 6,168 metres long with a fine sea view and a
gentle natural undulating landscape right in middle of the thick evergreen
vegetation of the Maremman woodland made up of: domestic and maritime pines, oak
trees, cork and holm oaks, and arbutus bushes that constitute beautiful natural
obstacles for the golfers. From tee number 7, a breathtaking panorama of the
Gulf of Follonica and the Isle of Elba can be admired. It is cited in many
golfing magazines as one of the most evocative and beautiful panoramas in Italy.
Golf Club
Toscana
(km. 25): The Tuscan Golf Club near Gavorrano, is immersed in the green of the
Mediterranean woodland, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The exclusive
18-hole course offers the finest conditions both for experts and beginners.
With a whole day at disposal you can visit the wonders of: Pisa (Km.100),
Firenze (Km.150), Siena (Km.121), Lucca (Km.124),
Volterra (Km. 86), and San Gimignano (Km.112). |
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