Tuscan Maremma
Land of “butteri”, unspoilt nature, ancient villages and beaches lapped by turquoise waters, the Maremma is Tuscany’s most beautiful treasure. Every corner of it is a precious piece of history or nature to be discovered.
Its marvellous villages – Scarlino, Massa Marittima, Castiglione della Pescaia to name but a few -, its protected parks – including the Bandite di Scarlino Nature Reserve, the Montioni Park and the Maremma Natural Park – and its beaches – Cala Violina, Cala Martina, Cala Civette among the most beautiful – will offer you unforgettable experiences.
Scarlino
Scarlino is an enchanting medieval village overlooking the Gulf of Follonica and surrounded by the luxuriant landscapes of the Bandite di Scarlino Nature Reserve and the Maremma coastline, with its thick pine forests, golden beaches and dreamy coves, such as the beautiful Cala Violina and Cala Martina.
Remarkable examples of art and architecture still tell of the long history of the village and offer evocative views: the mighty Rocca Pisana, the town walls, the Palazzo Comunale, the Palazzo del Conte, the Church of San Donato, the Church of San Martino and the Pieve di Santa Maria (the oldest in the village, built between the 9th and 10th centuries).
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Natural Parks
The Ombra Verde Residence is located in the heart of an area rich in natural beauty and unspoilt landscapes, protected in nationally recognised Reserves and Parks.
The Bandite di Scarlino Nature Reserve laps the Residence and winds its way from the surrounding hills down to the sea, amidst woods and breathtaking beaches.
The Montioni Natural Park, stretching between the provinces of Grosseto and Livorno, on hills covered with holm-oak woods and criss-crossed by traces of history, including mines and remains of the Napoleonic past.
The Sterpaia Coastal Park offers wide beaches and a Blue Flag sea in a wild landscape.
Towards the south, the Maremma Park, with its itineraries among animals, lush vegetation and ancient buildings, is a must to experience the most authentic Maremma.
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The Most Beautiful Beaches
Cala Violina is undoubtedly the most famous beach in the Maremma and one of the most beautiful in Italy. Surrounded by the rolling hills and Mediterranean maquis of the Bandite di Scarlino Nature Reserve, it is a hidden, unspoilt little paradise.
Its waters are crystal clear and an intense turquoise colour, the beach sheltered and soft.
The uniqueness of this beach lies precisely in its sand, composed of tiny grains of quartz that, when rubbed together, emit a faint sound reminiscent of a violin.
Access to the beach is only possible on foot or by bicycle, via a path of about two kilometres that winds through the forest.
From 1 June to 30 September, access is possible by reservation. More information at www.calaviolinascarlino.it.
Cala Martina is located on the path leading to Cala Violina, from which the Punta Francese promontory separates it.
Small, wild and mostly pebbly, it is perfect for snorkelling and is famous for being the place where Giuseppe Garibaldi embarked to reach Porto Venere on 2 September 1849, as the monument on the path leading to the beach and a memorial stone in the sea recall.
The Grosseto coast continues southwards with the beaches of Castiglione della Pescaia, Marina di Grosseto and Principina a Mare, as far as the Maremma Park, with its famous beaches dotted with white logs brought by the sea.
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Massa Marittima
An enchanting village, a true open-air museum of art treasures and medieval architecture, starting with the square dominated by the splendid Romanesque-Gothic cathedral.
The historic centre, enclosed by walls that are still partly preserved, is perfect for a stroll through history and food and wine, while the various museums and monuments that can be visited retrace the town’s long history, from prehistoric times to the recent mining past.
Castiglione della Pescaia
A seaside village perched on a promontory on the Maremma coast, between the Aragonese castle and a sea of infinite shades of blue. The streets of the centre come alive in fine weather, when clubs, restaurants and shops offer a thousand opportunities for recreation and shopping.
Not far from the town lies Diaccia Botrona, a protected natural area of great importance, where flamingos and numerous other animal and plant species can be admired.
Follonica
Overlooking a small, quiet gulf, surrounded by the green pine forests and woods of the Colline Metallifere, Follonica is a seaside town to be experienced in every season, with a history linked to iron and cast iron work, recounted by the oldest buildings in the centre.
The sandy beaches and shallow waters make it a perfect destination for families with children; the seafront promenade offers breathtaking sunsets and pleasant walks on summer evenings.
