Massa Marittima
Città d'arte
Another symbolic city of the Maremma is the charming Massa Marittima located in the immediate hinterland of Grosseto, resting on rolling hills that reveal a fabulous view of the sea. Massa Marittima is one of the most important cities of art in Tuscany, thanks to its buildings in the historic centre. The style of Massa Marittima is unique, the city seems to have come out of a Renaissance painting, its beauty is so great that it has been awarded the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club and is part of the renowned club of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The city is immersed in the national park of the Metalliferous Hills of Grosseto, a green area of immense value marked by mining activity.
What to see
At the highest point of this village is Piazza del Duomo, the heart of the town, where you can admire the cathedral of San Cerbone (mid-12th century), one of the most significant religious buildings in the province of Grosseto. Next to the cathedral is the Palazzo del Podestà built in the 13th century where the coats of arms of the Captains of Justice who succeeded one another at the helm of the city during the Renaissance are displayed. The palace is also the seat of the Archaeological Museum of Massa. Among the most interesting monuments to visit in this town is the beautiful Torre del Candeliere in Piazza Matteotti. Born as a symbol of independence of the city, built by the people of Massa in 1228, the tower was later destroyed by Siena during the occupation of 1335 and then rebuilt together with the fortress by the Sienese themselves to protect themselves from popular rebellions.
Staying on the subject of local history, our advice is to take a tour of the main exhibitions in Massa Marittima starting from the museum of sacred art in Corso Diaz, continuing with the art and history of the mine at the Palazzetto delle Armi and finally visiting the museum of the mine in via Corridoni which will lead you inside 700 meters of underground galleries.
Even the surroundings of Massa Marittima are full of things to see, including the famous Lago dell’Accesa, the largest archaic settlement discovered in central Italy.