toscana - pietronelmondo

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Tuscany

Arezzo Florence Grosseto Leghorn Lucca Massa and Carrara Pisa Pistoia Prato Siena

I lived six years of my life in this region; this land and some of the people who inhabit it hold a special place in my heart. A territory made up of spectacular Apennine mountains like Monte Amiata and Monte Falterona, renowned holiday resorts like Abetone, and wild mountain ranges like the Apuan Alps. Here the Arno and Tiber rivers are born and flow for hundreds of kilometers. Green hills declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Tyrrhenian coast has crowded or exclusive sandy beaches, and some of the most beautiful islands in Italy. But what makes Tuscany famous all over the world are its numerous art cities and medieval villages: Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca, San Gimignano, Pienza, Volterra, just to name a few. I love Tuscan cuisine: Ribollita, Pici all’Aglione among the first courses, Caciucco among the main courses, and for dessert Cantucci or Castagnaccio. Red wines like Chianti or, for those who can afford it, Brunello di Montalcino.

Province of Arezzo

Area: 3,232.90 km² Population: 333,344 Municipalities: 36

Arezzo: Palazzo dei Priori, seat of the Town Hall

Arezzo: Palazzo dei Priori, seat of the Municipality

Travel photos...

Arezzo

The very central Guido Monaco street; in the background, the Clock Tower

Piazza Grande, also known as Piazza Vasari after the architect who designed it in 1560

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donatus, known as the Duomo

Metropolitan City of Florence

Area: 3513.61 km² Population: 988,785 Municipalities: 41

Florence: Arno River

Travel photos...

Florence

Empoli

Piazza del Duomo

Sanctuary of the Madonna del Pozzo

The historic Piazza Farinata degli Uberti with the Collegiate Church of Sant'Andrea at its center

Province of Grosseto

Area: 4502.28 km² Population: 216,290 Municipalities: 28

Pitigliano: Citadel Gate

travel stories...

Manciano

Pitigliano

Saturnia Thermal Baths

Coming from Lazio, I enter Tuscany in the province of Grosseto. The landscape is a fascinating alternation of olive groves, woods, and fields with grass scorched by the August sun. I am in the municipality of Manciano, which covers a vast area where a well-preserved natural environment blends with the work of man who, from the Etruscans to today, has inhabited these hills. Entering on foot through Porta Fiorella, I wander aimlessly through the narrow streets of the historic center until I reach the parish church of San Leonardo, the patron saint of the town; a little further on is the magnificent Aldobrandesca Fortress, also known as the Cassero, dating back to the 12th century; today it houses the town hall. I return to the car passing through Piazza Garibaldi, where there is a beautiful monumental fountain. The sun sets over one of the most interesting villages of the Maremma hills and I promise myself to return in the coming years to visit some Etruscan necropolises and the medieval village of Montemerano, perhaps on the occasion of the traditional barrel race.

I was driving along the Maremma regional road, when just past the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie, as I exited a hairpin bend, a village perched on a tuff cliff appeared before me. For my eyes, it was like jumping back a thousand years in time. I stopped the car to take some photos. Curiosity led me up to visit the medieval village. I found parking in the area of the former slaughterhouse, and from there, in a few minutes, I reached a large stone arch that acts as a divider between the new and old parts of the town. I turned right and found myself in front of the Porta della Cittadella, on which is the coat of arms of the Orsini, lords of the city; the depth of the gate gives an idea of the thickness of the mighty walls that surround the ancient part of Pitigliano, beyond which I found myself in front of the Town Hall. I continued into the heart of the village where, in Piazza della Repubblica, I found on one side the large Fontana delle Sette Cannelle; on the opposite side, Palazzo Orsini, once a fortress from the 1300s, today home to important museums. There is also an interesting Jewish Quarter, which has made Pitigliano known as Little Jerusalem. I can't go home without buying some of the products: Pici, a typical Tuscan pasta, oil from local producers, and sweets from this area of the Maremma.

I had heard about this place but I never imagined it would be so special; for me it was a completely new experience. Everything starts with a convenient parking lot (cost 5 euros for the whole afternoon) in a field just a few hundred meters from the hot springs. I change in the car, and set off with my backpack dressed only in a straw hat, swimsuit, and beach slippers. On the way, dozens of people from all over the world. After passing the refreshment point and wading through a stream of hot water, I finally find myself in front of one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, enchanting but, given the multitude of people, it feels like being in a Dantean circle of chaos. Pools of thermal water at 37°C; sitting under one of the many small waterfalls, I let my shoulders enjoy the beneficial massages of the sulfurous water. I enjoy this relaxing natural hydromassage, a marvel of nature set in an unspoiled landscape. A mint popsicle to quench my thirst, and then off to new adventures. To finish, a useful piece of information: the Cascate del Molino di Saturnia hot springs are completely free, accessible at any time, 24 hours a day.