Castellina Marittima: Circular Trails and the History of Alabaster

Castellina Marittima combines a varied hilly landscape, sweeping views and a local history shaped by alabaster. Anyone considering holiday accommodation in Castellina Marittima can plan their stay around the Percorsi Verdi, which begin in the main square, the approximately one-kilometre-long woodland trail, historic buildings, the alabaster tradition, as well as olive oil, wine and rural cuisine.

Circular Trails and Sweeping Views

The Percorsi Verdi comprise approximately 20 kilometres of well-signposted circular trails that begin in the town’s main square. From the viewpoints, there are views of the Gulf of Baratti, the Piombino promontory, the Tuscan Archipelago, the plain of Pisa and the Apuan Alps. To help with orientation, the municipality of Castellina Marittima provides printable hiking maps, detailed information on the individual trails, as well as GPX and KML tracks. The approximate total length allows for different day stages; depending on the time available, visitors can plan a longer circuit or a shorter selection of sections. Personal planning can therefore make use of both paper documents and digital tracks.

There is also “L'arco e il tempo”, an equipped woodland trail of approximately one kilometre. “L'arco e il tempo” is an equipped woodland trail of approximately one kilometre that combines stations on human evolution with the opportunity to try traditional archery. Le Cave di Piero is a public natural area with tables, benches and barbecue facilities. Sassi Bianchi is another viewpoint offering views of the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan Archipelago.

The landscape itself also shapes the character of the town: Castellina Marittima includes hills cultivated with olive trees, grapevines and cereals, rows of cypress trees and lush Mediterranean maquis. Depending on the preferred daily rhythm, extended walks, a short woodland trail or time spent in a natural area can therefore be combined.

Churches, Fortress and Alabaster

The Romanesque Church of San Giovanni Battista is a noteworthy place in Castellina Marittima. The remains of the ancient fortress of Castellina Marittima are also considered a noteworthy site. In addition, there is the ancient Pieve di San Giovanni Decollato, one of Castellina Marittima’s historic buildings.

The “Bianco di Castellina” alabaster quarrying tradition is part of the town’s historical heritage. The central museum site of the Ecomuseo dell'Alabastro houses archive materials on alabaster extraction methods. The Ecomuseo dell'Alabastro is a multi-site museum offering comprising Castellina Marittima, Santa Luce and Volterra.

Olives, Wine and Rural Cuisine

Olives are grown and oil is produced in Castellina Marittima. At the Tenuta del Terriccio, 12,000 olive trees of the Frantoio, Moraiolo, Maurina and Rosciola varieties are cultivated on 50 hectares using organic farming methods. The cuisine of Castellina Marittima has its roots in the rural tradition of the so-called “cucina povera”, which is connected with the lives of alabaster quarry workers.

Numerous wineries producing high-quality wines helped Castellina Marittima gain inclusion in the Strada del vino Costa degli Etruschi.

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To the main travel overview: Pisa.