Follonica
Follonica is a splendid town in the province of Grosseto, located in the high part of the Maremma and is one of most fascinating and visited tourist locations in Tuscany.
You can find Follonica on the shores of the stunning Tyrrhenian coast, distinctive for the beauty of its beaches and its town, which has gained fame and international notoriety.
The wonderful village rises on the Follonica gulf, overlooking the fantastic Tuscan Archipelago. From up high you can see the tranquility of its streets and the remarkable beauty of its monuments.
The town is, in all respects, one of the most beautiful and recognized destinations.
The history of Follonica is intertwined with that of the metalliferous deposits of the hills which surround them. In fact, there are numerous constructions, structures and buildings which remember the activity of metal extraction and works.
The importance of this sector for the town is clearly visible in even the oldest houses, the smallest architecture, the most historic monuments and the museums which have exhibitions on it.
Visiting this magical village is definitely a unique and particular experience, during which, you can learn about and appreciate their history, their culture, their art and their ancient traditions.
Not to miss:
The Church of St. Leopoldo: a neo-classic construction dating back to 1836 and is home to some splendid works of art. Outside, however, the façade is of great curiosity and beauty, as it is completely made out of cast iron.
Palazzo Granducale (Grand Ducal Palazzo): its construction dates back to 1845 when it served as the home of Leopoldo II. Today it is the seat of Forest Corp of the State.
Palazzo del Direttore (Palazzo of the Director): built in the first half of the 19th century, it is a stunning building constructed in the neo-classic style.
Palazzina del Medico (Little Palazzo of the Medic): built in 1838 it served many purposes, including, the seat of the Pharmacy, the home of the medic and as a school of design.
Ex Casello Idraulico (Ex- Hydraulic Toll Gate): a two-storey building, attached to a small tower used to house the directive centre of land reclamation.
Casa Gobba: one of the oldest buildings in Follonica, dating back to the 18th century, it was the old residence of the Deputy of Sanitation.
Torre dell’Orologio (Clock Tower): built on a pre-existed religious building during 1930.
Monumento ai Caduti (Monument to the Fallen): dating back to the first twenty years of the 20th century, it is a marble statue which remembers those who died in the First World War.
La Dogana (The Customs): built in 1826 as the seat of the tax police and the custom officers.
Portale del Mistero (Portal of Mystery): a monument made of white marble, which depicts a symbolic door opening towards the sea.
Villa Sant’Anna (St. Anna Villa): with a fascinating pronaos, an octagonal torrent and columns, it was built in the beginning of the 20th century.
Villa Benedetti: a stunning example of liberty art dating back to the 1900. The Villa Jole Monciatti also depicts the liberty style but with added neo-gothic elements.
Castello di Valli (Castle of the Valleys): built outside of the city centre, it rises on high ground. From the original structure there remain only ruins of the surrounding wall and an impressive watch tower. Its construction dates back to some time before 884, when the first mention of the existence of a fortification in Follonica occurred.
La Pievaccia: built in the countryside which surrounds Follonica, the stone tower was constructed during the 1200 to serve religious purposes; as shown by the architecture of the structure.
The Museum of Steel and Cast Iron: located in the industrial location of the ex- Ilva, the museum stretches across many rooms. Using photos, reproductions and explicative panels, the exhibition tells the story of mine work and extraction in the area. The museum also houses a large display of Etruscan and Roman ruins.
La Piancoteca Amedeo Modigliani (The Amedeo Modigliani Art Gallery): inside the gallery are displays and collections, designs, graphics and works of art by many important contemporary artists, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalì, Mario Borgiotti and Piero Nicheri.
History:
Of Follonica’s history we can tell that an ancient civilization was already present in the metalliferous hills in a very ancient time. The Etruscans then used the mineral resources of the territory to create a village of casters, building a large number of ovens to work with metals. Today many interesting ruins remain from this original settlement. During the Middle Ages the town of Follonica became an important centre under the domination of the influential local families and nearby powers. The Maremman village was then part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany under the De’Medici family, before being annexed by the Kingdom of Italy.