Province of Grosseto

Another important element of the city of Grosseto is its city walls, which are in the shape of an irregular hexagon with six angular bastions, one at each corner of the hexagon, in the shape of an arrow. It is possible to climb the walls and walk along a tree-lined avenue. As you walk, you will come across the ancient gates that allowed access to the historic centre, well-preserved bastions and the Cassero Senese, a rectangular tower.

Among the museums to visit in Grosseto are the Archaeological and Art Museum of the Maremma, the Natural History Museum of the Maremma and the Le Clarisse Cultural Centre, which includes four very interesting small museums (Museo Collezione Gianfranco Luzzetti, Clarisse Arte, MuseoLab and the Roberto Ferretti Ethnographic Collection).

Among the most breathtaking villages are undoubtedly the three 'tufatowns', which are part of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in Italy'. Pitigliano, the largest, and Sorano tower over the surrounding landscape from the top of a tuff cliff, like living nativity scenes. Both also contain a Jewish ghetto. Sovana, on the other hand, lies on the plain and is a charming medieval village. The most important site of interest is the archaeological area of Sovana, where you can admire Etruscan tombs carved into the tuff. A not-to-be-missed experience is to walk through the Vie Cave, narrow passages carved into the tuff that were intended to connect the settlements and necropolises in the area.

Other splendid villages that are absolutely worth a visit in the name of culture are Massa Marittima, Arcidosso, Porto Ercole, Manciano, Santa Fiora and Montemerano.

After the formation of the two peat bogs, the Orbetello Lago on was created , which is in turn divided into two parts, the Lagoon of Ponente and the Lagoon of Levante, by another strip of land on which the town of Orbetello is located and connected to the Argentario by the Leopoldiana dam, an artificial bridge. To protect the Orbetello lagoon, there are several natural areas, such as the Nature Reserve and WWF Oasis Laguna di Orbetello. Here, it is possible to observe a large number of birds at close quarters, such as pink flamingos, herons, black-winged stilts, common terns and ospreys, as well as to go for walks and horse rides. A boat allows you to cross the reservoir and learn more about fishing activity in the lagoon.

The Tombolo della Feniglia is instead protected by the Duna di Feniglia Nature Reserve. Here you can walk or cycle through a fragrant pine forest and access the beach at any time. If you are lucky, you may even spot fallow deer, foxes and other animals that inhabit this corner of paradise. The children will love it!

Close to Orbetello is Lake Burano and the WWF oasis of the same name (which is also the first WWF oasis in Italy!). A wide variety of birds can also be admired here. A small path winds along the dune, which is rich in vegetation, and offers various observation points for birdwatching.

Birdwatchers in a unique habitat will also appreciate the Diaccia Botrona Reserve, a marshland area of great natural and historical value, where, by taking a loop trail on foot or by bicycle, you can also visit the remains of the medieval abbey of San Pancrazio al Fango and an 18th-century building, Casa Rossa Ximenes, now a multimedia museum. It is also possible to take a guided excursion in a special boat.

Once you have discovered all the natural beauty of the coast, it is time to explore the hinterland of the province, characterised by hill groups, such as the Albegna and Fiora Hills and the Colline Metallifere, which also extend into the province of Pisa, Livorno and Siena.

The Colline Metallifere Grossetane extend in the northern part of the province of Grosseto and are an area of great mining, geothermal and naturalistic importance. Among the most interesting sites are the Roste, heaps of the remains of copper processing with their characteristic red colour, the Accesa Lake, of karstic origin, and the Parco Geotermico delle Biancane, a geothermal area where you can admire the biancane, i.e. dome-shaped reliefs of light colour, fumaroles and boraciferous fumaroles that bear witness to underground volcanic activity. When walking in the Biancane Park area, it is easy to think you are in Iceland!

Those in search of mountains will not find very high peaks in Tuscany, but the province of Grosseto can boast some that exceed 1,000 metres in altitude. The highest peak is Mount Amiata (1,738 metres), a former volcano, followed by its 'little brothers' Poggio Trauzzolo (1,200 m) and Mount Labbro (1,193 m), also part of the Amiata massif, on which it is also possible to ski and snowboard in winter. On the northern slopes of Monte Labbro is also the area of the Monte Amiata Fauna Park, which is certainly worth a visit.

Other reliefs and hills in the province of Grosseto are also a beautiful destination for hikers and mountain bikers. The latter particularly appreciate the continuous ups and downs of the area. The southern slope of Monte Arsenti, for example, has a large number of downhill trails, but is also very beautiful to explore on foot.

A curious place ideal for families is the famous Tarot Garden, an art park inspired by the major arcana of the tarot cards and created by French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Here, twenty-two sculptures covered in glass, mirrors and coloured ceramics take visitors on a magical and evocative experience that combines art and nature. The other two art parks in the province of Grosseto, Daniel Spoeri's Garden and Paul Fuchs' Garden of Sounds, are also worth a visit.

Who has never dreamed of being a pirate? During the event"The Night of the Pirates" in Porto Ercole, which takes place every year between April and May, you can watch the landing of a pirate sailing ship and, among the many activities, also participate in a treasure hunt at night. An event that involves and entertains young and old!