Holiday apartment in Grosseto: Culture, Coast and Nature of the Maremma

Grosseto lies on a plain crossed by the Ombrone River, a few kilometres from the Tyrrhenian coast. The historic centre is surrounded by a completely intact and well-preserved medieval wall circuit.

Culture

Construction of the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo began in 1294 under the Sienese architect Sozzo Rustichini, on the ruins of an earlier church dedicated to the Assumption. The cathedral has a baptismal font, stained-glass windows, the Cappella del Crocifisso and a painting by Matteo di Giovanni. Five audio guides are available there in Italian and English.

In the historic centre of Grosseto, the Polo culturale Le Clarisse is housed in a former 17th-century monastery and comprises four cultural institutions. The Museo Collezione Gianfranco Luzzetti displays 64 works donated to the city of Grosseto. The museum’s exhibition route leads through the former Santa Chiara monastery, known as a former Poor Clare monastery, as well as the Chiesa dei Bigi. Clarisse Arte offers an exhibition space for temporary exhibitions, a documentation centre and a storage facility for selected works from public art collections. The Giardino Archaeologico in the historic centre is an open-air museum and archaeological garden.

History

The Sienese Keep is Grosseto’s most important fortress and was built during the Republic of Siena. The MuseoLab houses original finds and large-scale graphic reconstructions relating to the history of Grosseto. In the Area Archeologica di Roselle, sections of Etruscan walls and Roman urban remains have been preserved, including the forum, Cardo maximus, basilica and thermal baths.

A living historical tradition can be seen during the traditional procession on the night of San Lorenzo: in the historic centre of Grosseto, a cart drawn by Maremma cattle from Alberese leads the way, followed by mounted Butteri.

Nature and trails

The Parco Regionale della Maremma can be explored on foot via a network of hiking and Nordic walking trails. The visitor centre of the Parco della Maremma in Alberese is located 4 kilometres from the SS Aurelia and is signposted from the exits. The Museo di Storia Naturale della Maremma offers guided tours, exhibitions, conferences, workshops and educational activities.

The cycling routes also connect specific points in the surrounding area. The cycle route to Spiaggia di Collelungo runs through the Grand Dukes’ pine forest to Marina di Alberese and then returns to Alberese along the coastal cycle path. Route A9 – I valloni offers an alternative to Torre di Collelungo, as well as connections to the beach and towards Marina di Alberese. The Grosseto–Alberese cycle path connects Grosseto with Alberese, starts at Grosseto railway station and ends at the visitor centre of the Parco Regionale della Maremma in Alberese.

Coast and surroundings

Several destinations designated as beaches are located around Grosseto: Spiaggia di Marina di Grosseto, Medusa, Kite Beach Fiumara and Oasi. The immediate surroundings of Grosseto also include four palaces: Palazzo INAIL, Villino Scannerini, Palazzina Tempesti and Palazzo La Valle.

Grosseto Airport is open to authorised civil air traffic, provided that the appropriate PPR approval has been granted in advance.

Other places

Arcidosso, Campagnatico, Scansano, Cinigiano, Follonica, Gavorrano, Manciano, Massa Marittima, Montieri, Pitigliano, Roccastrada, Scarlino, Seggiano, Sorano, Grosseto, Capalbio, Castiglione Della Pescaia, Magliano In Toscana, Santa Fiora, Orbetello, Monterotondo Marittimo, Civitella-Paganico, Semproniano, Castel Del Piano, Roccalbegna, Isola Del Giglio, Monte Argentario, Castell'azzara, Rocchette, Montorgiali, Pancole, Valpiana, Civitella Marittima, La Dispensa, Borgo Santa Rita, La Torba, Diaccialone, Suvereto, Sabatina, Grotte Cavalieri, Montevitozzo, Carige Alta, Potassa, Frassine, Salaiola, Borgo Carige, Casone, Le Rocchette.

To the higher-level travel overview: Tuscany.