Grosseto
Grosseto is recognized as the principal town of the Maremma. Its major industries include agriculture; services and tourism, with the latter continuing to grow and spread throughout the rest of the province.
The city itself is situated on the Ombrone plain and consists of an ancient and beautiful center enclosed within huge hexagonal ramparts, as well as a much larger modern and contemporary zone. Originally there was a marine gulf nearby, but over the course of the centuries it became a lagoon filled with marshes and cane thickets.
Grosseto began its expansion around 935 and became a city state in 1138 when Innocent II transferred the episcopal seat to there. From the 11th century onwards, the city changed hands numerous times, belonging to the Aldobrandeschi family, then falling under Sienese dominion and then to Cosimo de’ Medici in 1559. This noble Florentine family encouraged the city’s economic recovery by excavating canals for land reclamation, constructing the city walls and creating public utility.
Grosseto florished once more with Leopold II (1828) and became the beautiful and distingushed city it is today. A more specialized form of agriculture was now encouraged and yielded excellent local products such as wine, oil and cheese, all of which are are still highely praised and produced in the Maremman province.
The province is also home to an unspoiled natural environment, both along the coast and in the interior and boasts such stunning and incomparable landscapes, as sea-pine forests, beaches and nature parks. In addition, there are many opportunities for “intelligent tourism” with various itineraries for every season of the year allowing visitors to experience areas of unquestionable natural beauty and historical-cultural value.
The zone around Grosseto is brimming with historical and artistical monuments, prehistoric villages and Etruscan and Medieval towns. Once such site is the archeological area of Roselle. One of the most important Etruscan city in the area, this ancient town was known for its commerce and terracotta workshops.; the remains of which are now on display for vistors to see all year round.
Another area of immense interest is the small town of Montepescali, situated on the top of a hill and enclosed by a Medieval wall. Well known for its 14th century buildings, Montepescali is home to one of the most breath-taking views in the Maremma.
Grosseto’s natural and historical-cultural beauty continues throughout the province with towns such as: Batignano, the uniquely characteristic village of Istia d’Ombrone, the large beach and magnificent pine forests of the Marina of Grosseto, Alberese, the home of the Butteri ( the local cowboys) and the Maremma Regional Park. Here, the unique and wonderful Mediterranean flora and fauna live in complete freedom in area which is best summerized as a natural paradise.
