Farm holidays Alba In Tuscany: Castiglione della Pescaia and Surroundings, in Maremma Tuscany
Castiglione della Pescaia Castiglione Della Pescaia, a dated town overlooking the sea placed between Punta Ala and Marina di Grosseto. The old part of the town is a balcony on the Tyrrhenian sea , It’s the home of a tourist port which offers daily excursions to the islands found in the Tuscan archipelago.Castiglione della Pescaia boasts ancient origins, the first traces of encampment in this area go back sixty thousand years, whilst the first urban settlements are found in Vetulonia, the ancient town that the Etruscans built near lake Prile (no longer in existence) The Romans instead, founded the village of Salebrone famous for its mild climate, the lake teeming with fish and the surrounding area full of wild game. After the fall of the Roman Empire and the incursions of the Barbarians, in the year 962 Castiglione was given over to Pisa by Ottone the 1st of Sassonia, the emperor of Germania. Pisa exploited the resources without worrying about the sand filling the port and of the waters of the lake Prile that, becoming stagnant, caused the increase of malaria epidemics.
Park of Maremma
The Natural Regional Park of Maremma was instituted in 1975 but, not withstanding its reduced dimensions (app.10.000ha) and young age, in a short length of time has become a reference point for an ever increasing number of people. Park of Maremma. In 1993 it was honored in the Diploma of European Park released by the European committee. Visiting the park will certainly be a pleasurable and informative experience, however one must bear in mind that stopping at just one visit may, in some instances, result in ones expectancy being deluded, often over-dimensioned with respect to the actual possibility offered by the brief length of time available; One must remember it is not a zoo, the animals run freely and are not at our disposition. The visit to the park is possible only on foot; there are two access points for the itineraries; Alberese and Talamone. For the itineraries departing from Alberese, of which there is a brief description, the access is normally possible on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, however for further information on the times and visits it is advisable to contact the information office of the park.
Diaccia Botrona
In order to gain access to the Natural Reserve, follow the signs for“Isola Clodia” and “Casa Rossa”, the surroundings are very enchanting and full of volatiles. Inside the Park (entrance is free) it is possible to admire: White herons, red herons, ducks, the falcon of the marshes and the Cavaliere d’Italia.
San Galgano
The complex formed by the hermitage or “Rotunda” of Montesiepi and the ruins of the Great Abbey of Circestense San Galgano is one of the most enchanting found in Tuscany.
In the “Rotunda” of Montesiepi there is inserted in a stone the sword of Saint Galgano. Built between 1182 and 1185 upon the hut on the hill where Saint Galgano lived the last year of his life and in the same place where he thrust his sword in the stone, the “Rotunda” of Montesiepiwas originally the Saint’s grave who was buried north of the sword as seen from the mainentrance, Chiusdino. Only during 1220 (or 1218?) construction of the Abbey in the valley began. The construction work lasted until 1268, when it became officially consecrated by the Bishop of Volterra Alberto Solari.
Then 100 years of great splendor until 1364, there after followed a gradual decline due to bad practice of the “Commenda”.
One event above all: in 1550 Girolamo Vitelli managed to sell (after the jewels and who knows what else) the lead roof. Towards the end of 1789 not withstanding several attempts to rebuild the convent, after the raising of the Rotunda of Montesiepi to Pieve, the great Abbey was deconsecrated and left ultimately to ruin. Whilst the Rotunda of Montesiepi brings us, with the sword in the stone, the saga of King Arthur, the great Abbey reserves, with its Sacred Geometry, other surprises be it “Musical” and “Egyptian”
Maybe the clever Circestensian Monks of Saint Roberto of Molesme and Saint Bernardo of Chiaravalle knew more than what they have left in writing
Vetulonia
Vetulonia is an ancient Etruscan city that gave Rome the lictorial symbols of the fasces and the axe. Vetulonia reached its highest splendor between the 7th and 6th century A.C. and still preserves many memories of its ancient power.
After the splendor of the Etruscan period, Vetulonia declined, and in 1181 due to the necessity to fortify for the defense of the inhabitants, the Castle of Colonna arose.
Of the imposing Etruscan perimeter wall, there remain only a few sections, and in the immediate surroundings of the actual town one can find the Etruscan necropolis. Among the graves the can be visited, that are remarkable, the Diavolino grave and the Petrera grave, that can be reached entering the road that leads to Buriano. In the town one can visit, once the restoration work is finished, an archeological museum, due to open soon, with exhibits of remarkable value.
Marvelous is the view that can be admired of the sloping gentle hills .
Tirli
Tirli is immersed between holm oak and chestnut trees, and enjoys an exceptional climate rising to 450m above sea level being exposed to the sea breeze. First traces of settlements go back to woodcutters and shepherds and the wood cutting tradition is still deep rooted within the inhabitants. Enchanting are its alleys, the town is dominated by a convent fortress, built around 1500 by the AgostiniMonks; it is here that the inhabitants escaped to, and found refuge from the assault of the Saracenian pirates .
Buriano
The town, dominated by a castle, is of ancient origin, maybe Roman, according to other sources, maybe Longobarda.
It reached the highest splendor during the first three centuries of this millennium. The Romanesque church has a bell tower incorporated and conserves a relic of Saint Guglielmo, that found refuge in the “Romitorio”.
Every second Sunday after Easter, Saint Guglielmo is celebrated with an evocative procession that leaves Buriano and across the scrub reaches the Romitorio. In this occasion from the farm “La Badiola”the “pianeta” is brought out, a gold embroidered material given by the Great Duchess of Tuscany Maria Antonietta in memory of a fall from a horse .
Near by …
Massa Marittima
Ancient small town, placed on a hill at 380mt above sea level, approximately 15 km from the “Golfo del Sole”. Known for its copper and silver mines, exploited until 1300’s, then re-opened from the 1830’s until the 1970’s, it holds intact its medieval aspect. The “Balestro del Girifalco”, a crossbow competition between the various districts of the town, it also recalls a historical event.
Grosseto
A fortified city along the road between Rome and Pisa, in 1138 became the bishop’s residence gaining importance in Maremma. Later taken over by the “Aldobrandeschi” then conquered by the “Senesi” and in 1559 taken over by the “Medici”. There followed various reclamations for at least two centuries.