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Travel to Maremma
A whole new idea about nature, art, colours and flavours in the Maremma (Tuscany region) awaits you when you visit the Metalliferous Hills. You are immediately struck by how varied the area is, with a thousand constantly changing facets. The white beaches of the coast are crowned with luxuriant pinewoods and bathed by a transparent sea. It is one of the most beautiful and accessible settings of the entire Tyrrenian coast.With the wide Gulf of Follonica and most of the territory of Scarlino, this warm sea has been sailed ever since ancient times when ships laden with cargoes of iron for the foundries arrived from the nearby Island of Elba. Again, going inland, iron is a link to the other characteristic of the territory, mineral resources. Already the name 'Metalliferous Hills' brings to mind the iron, copper, zinc, pyrite and silver that have been mined and worked here throughout history. Here, unlike most of the Maremma, man's efforts have been concentrated on mining rather than agriculture. The signs are everywhere, from the remains of the mines and furnaces from the Etruscan-Roman period to the mineral dumps from the Middle Ages to the imposing ruins of the contemporary mines. This mining activity has left extremely important documentation about extraction and working techniques as well as the happenings in the local towns. The tradition has been so strongly felt that the Parco Minerario Naturalistico has been created in Gavorrano. When you visit it, you can fully understand both the human and environmental aspects involved in the exploitation of the mineral resources as well as mining's profound influence on the culture of the area. The park includes the small mine in Ravi-Marchi, where you can appreciate all of the essential components tied to the work (the trolleys for entrance to the shafts, the washing areas, the tubs for crushing and floatation and the systems for transport); the Parco delle Rocce which contains the 'Teatro delle Rocce', an open-air structure at the foot of the old quarry 'San Rocco', used for cultural events; and the Mining Museum which is located within an old tunnel and traces the history of Gavorrano's mines and miners. These hills, formed by man from heaps of mineral waste and then modelled by nature, never lose their fascination. They have been eroded and carved by wind and rain, creating a spectacular vision. The hues of the metals mix with the colours of the vegetation from which views of castles, churches, fortresses and watchtowers suddenly appear. The close bond to its geology is further demonstrated by the geothermic phenomenon, the 'soffioni boracifieri' (boric-acid fumaroles) in Monterotondo Marittimo and Travale, typical of the area. These clouds rising from the ground gradually disappear in the green chestnut, oak and bitter oak woods and the Mediterranean scrub that blankets the hills. Natural beauty accompanies and serves as the setting for an area filled with important works of art and historical events from the Etruscan and Roman period to the Middle Ages of which Massa Marittima is undoubtedly the most outstanding expression. But it isn't alone. There are also the old centres of Montieri and Roccastrada, with their important surrounding towns, as well as many other tiny villages perched on rocky hills with panoramic views, immersed in history and nature. An enormous artistic, architectural and archaeological heritage is waiting to be discovered in towns large and small, in the wooded hills of the Cornate di Gerfalco, in the countryside and on the coast. The sea and coast in MaremmaThe possibilities to enjoy the sea are many. The vast, sandy shore that reaches from the gulf of Follonica to Punta Ala has accessible beaches and soft dunes with clean, transparent water. The shallow water continues for several meters from the shore and offers the perfect setting to enjoy the sea and nature without sacrificing the amenities. There are a number of scuba diving centres along the coast and the many bathing establishments carry all of the necessary equipment for sailing, surfing, windsurfing, kite-surfing and canoeing as well as other sporting equipment to satisfy a vast gamma of recreational needs. There is an aquatic park at Follonica where a day of fun is guaranteed for both children and grownups. For those looking for quiet relaxation, there are isolated beaches, still left as nature made them, such as the coves of Cala Martina and Cala Violina near Scarlino, havens of green, transparent sea, crowned by thick Mediterranean scrub. Here the only obligation is to listen to the gentle murmur of the water and admire the colours of the sunset as the sky and sea become one. Parks in MaremmaFew areas in Italy can boast of an environmental system as well organized as the one created in the Metalliferous Hills. Repopulation, biogenetic, integration and protection reserves, WWF parks and oases add up to a vast 'reserve of nature', a stockpile, as it were, in which all of the typical environments of both the coast and interior are represented. Main museums in MaremmaMuseums and centres for information about the territory that include the various aspects of its historical development couldn't be lacking in this area. They include the various factors that have marked the evolution of historic events, from archaeological finds to artists, painters and ancient miners' traditions. Follonica Municipal Gallery Amedeo Modigliani Piazza del Popolo, 2 info: tel 0566.42412 - fax 0566.59288 The Gallery houses a permanent collection of contemporary artists (Picasso, Dalì, Annigoni, Bueno, Sabatelli, De Rosa…) and the collection Carlo Pepi, the world's largest collection of Macchiaiolo drawings. Museum of Iron and Cast Iron Ex-llva area Piazza del Popolo info: tel 0566.40762-59391 - fax 0566.44340 An historic development of iron and the way in which it was worked, from the classical age to today, with Etruscan examples and objects from the 19th century of artistic and industrialarchaeological value. Gavorrano Centre for the Documentation and Study of Mines Via Vittorio Veneto, 72 info: tel 0566.843232 - 846282 The Centre covers the story of the mining activity, a pivotal activity for the inhabitants of the Metalliferous Hills, from 1898 until the beginning of the 1980s when mining production ended. Mining Museum Via Corridoni The Museum documents conditions and work in the mines by using the examples of tools, accessories and machines which have come from the mines within the territory. Archaeological Museum and Painting Gallery c/o Palazzo del Podestà - Piazza Garibaldi The Museum contains examples originating primarily from the Etruscan site dell'Accesa (VI B.C.), which consists of dwellings and tombs, and an aeneolithic stone bearing an inscription from the 3rd millennium B.C. The Gallery contains the works of Tuscan painters from the 17-18th centuries. Museum of the History and Art of Mining Piazza Matteotti The Museum documents the mining culture of the Metalliferous Hills with an exhibit of objects belonging to local miners and explains the city's mining history from the Middle Ages to the present day. Torre del Candeliere and Fortilizio Senese Piazza Matteotti Incorporated in the remaining part of the 13th century defensive walls and with the addition of the mighty Sienese flying buttress, it provides a perfect battle setting and first hand evidence of the Medieval combats that took place up to the time of the city's submission to Siena. Ancient Oil Press Via Populonia, 3 It was built at the 18th century and brings us a piece of country life. It is noteworthy both for its historictechnological relevance and for the completeness of the still functioning working apparatus. Old Carpenter's Shop Vicolo Massaini Exhibits numerous tools that have come from an old shop in Gerfalco. The shop was active from the end of the 19th century until 1990. Angiolino Martini Collection Via Goldoni This collection of 750 works includes paintings, drawings and lithographs by 20th century artists, including, among others, Borghese, Maccari, Guttuso, Gentilizi, Schifano, Nespolo. Roccastrada Museum of Wine and Creeper The museum preserve ancient rustic tools that used for the main economic activities: agriculture, primarily wine, and ore excavation. Scarlino Centre for Documentation of the Territory Via della Rocca - info: tel 0566.38546 Objects of every day use and material illustrating the various aspects of life in the area of the Citadel in Scarlino from the Bronze Age to the 17th century are exhibited at the Centre. |
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