Stories
Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy
By Bonnie Maffei | Published Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009
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Grosseto, aka Maremma, dates back to the 7th-century B.C. Etruscans, the “first great people of Italy.” Local attractions include remains of two important Etruscan cities, Roselle and Vetulonia. Massa Marittima (51 km north of Grosseto), Piazza Garibaldi, Il Duomo, Palazzo Pretorio and the fine Tuscan cuisine are not to be missed. Not far from Il Duomo, look for the 13th century Massa Marittima mural or Malleus Maleficarum, depicting a tree with 25 male genitalia hanging like fruit. Fertility symbol or witchcraft? You decide.
For more local color, visit the sculpture studio of Tondicarlo, visible from the main highway to Grosseto. In about an hour or so, talented resident sculptors Marco, Stefano or Adelpho will model you in clay for about 400 Euros. Legend has it that the building was once a thriving country restaurant where unusual fare was served, bringing to mind tales of hearty meat pies prepared by the infamous Nellie Lovett of Sweeney Todd fame.
Stay in a Tuscan-style room at Agrit. La Pulledraia Podere Montegrappa on Via Del Molinaccio, 10 in Grosseto for about 80 Euros per night, including breakfast. You can even bring a small pet.
Maremma is a breathtakingly beautiful part of Tuscany and Lazio in Italy, almost all of which is a Natural Park or Nature Reserve.
As well as the historic centre of Grosseto, Maremma has a wealth of stunning medieval hill towns and spanish forts along its 250km spectacular coastline with the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas.
And over 90 gorgeous beaches, including the most beautiful beach in Italy - Cala Violina.
To find out more go to http://www.maremmaguide.com>
By MaremmaGuide 2:14 a.m., Aug 7, 2009 > Report it
I'm glad Grosseto and the Maremma area are started to be appreciated. For a long time they have been "out of the Tuscan Sun", and yet that is one of the most unspoilt areas in the region.
Here's an introduction to the different areas of the Maremma
http://www.casinadirosa.it/en/maremma.html
And for those interested in everyday life in Tuscany, http://www.athomeintuscany.org>
Thank you for this lovely article,
Gloria
By Gloria 1:19 p.m., Aug 8, 2009 > Report it
Super! Thank you for those great links, Gloria!
By BonnieMaffei 8:13 p.m., Aug 31, 2009 > Report it