Massa Marittima

Massa Marittima presents itself as one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities of the Maremma, a true and real gem of art and ancient culture, absolutely splendid and magnificent, rich in very ancient buildings and historic palazzi which tell of their past and the most important events which have occurred in centuries past.

Rising in the province of Grosseto, pondering over the splendid landscape of the “colline metallifere” (literally the metal hills), it is established as one of the few places that can boast the “Bandiera Arancione per il Turismo” (Orange Flag for Tourism, which commemorates places of great historical importance) given to them by the Touring Club Italiano.

The town of Massa Marittima is found in the province of Grosseto, in the territory of Alta Maremma, only twenty kilometers from the splendid and wonderful coasts of Mar Tirreno. The town is built at an altitude of about 400 metres, overlooking from the height of its hills, the captivating and beautiful natural landscape offered by the Maremman territory.

The Tuscan city of Massa Marittima can boast an exceptional richness of works of art, monuments and ancient churches and absolutely splendid buildings, which deserve to be appreciated and admired in all their charm and beauty.

The enchanting town of Massa Marittima is also famous and particularly interesting for “Il Balestro del Girifalco” (Falcon Crossbow Contest), a famous demonstration which is organized twice a year (on the first Sunday after May 22 and the first Sunday in August) and is a competition of crossbow, between the three traditional neighbourhoods of the town; Cittanuova (New City), Cittavecchia (Old City) and borgo (village)

Not to miss:

The thirteenth century Cathedral of St. Cerbone: erected in the principal piazza of the city, it is a magnificent gothic building and houses protected works of extraordinary importance and beauty, including the alfresco of the Madonna in Glory, with Saint Joseph and Bernard, by Antonio Nasini, a wooden Pulpit, dating back to the 1600’s and a splendid painted cross by artist Segna di Bonaventura (14th century)

Fortezza Senese (Sienese Fortress): a fascinating building with a medieval style, begun in 1228 as a project by Maestro Angiolo di Ventura. Its original role was that of dividing the city of Massa Marittima in two parts, to avoid the revolt of the citizens.

The striking Torre dell’Orologio (Clock Tower): known also as the Torre of Candeliere (Tower the Candle Holder), it dates back to the first half of the 13th century.

Palazzo Petorio: a building dating back to the 1200, today the home of two important museums, including the Archaeological Museum, containing works by Ambrogio Lorenzetti.

Palazzo Comunale: preceded by its two wonderful lodges.

Palazzina of Conti Biserno (Little Palazzo of the Biserno Counts): which faces the principal piazza of the city.

Church of St. Augustina: built over the ruins of the more ancient parish church of St. Pietro del Giardino (St. Peter of the Garden).

Church of St. Francesco: founded, according to the legend, by the Saint himself and the Church of St. Rocco, dating back to the 15th century.

Museum of the Pipe Organ, which houses a display of musical instruments covering a period of time from the 17th to the 19th century, all beautifully decorated and hand made.

Museum of the Mines: opened in 1980 it is a reconstruction of an underground mine and has a collection real objects and instruments used by the miners.  Through documents, reconstructions and testimonies, the museum tells of the work and the conditions of the mines.

Museum of Art and History of the Mines: located in Palazzetto Armi, inside you can admire a vast collection of utensils, objects and instruments used by mineworkers, numerous photos and plastic reproductions, which remember and recount the peculiar ways of the ancient mines.

An Archaeological Museum: custodian of a great exhibition of prehistoric finds, Etruscan and Roman, the majority of which comes from the interesting and important archaeological site of Lago dell’Acessa (Accessa Lake). The museum also houses a small room, known as the Saletta della Maestá (Little room of the Maestá), which displays some splendid works of art, paintings and monuments.

Centre Expositive of Contemporary Art: custodian of a vast collection of paintings, designs and graphics from the 19th to the 20th century. Also home to the Antico Frantoio (Ancient Oil-mill), where you can admire a wheel which, moved by a donkey, was used to crush grain. And the Vecchina Falegnameria (Old Joinery), home to a large number of objects and instruments used by craftsmen of the past.

The Archaeological Park of Lake Acessa: rich in ruins, graves and remains of ancient dwellings.

History:

Regarding the history, we known that the origins of this charming city of the Maremma, was set in the high medieval period, when they became the first settlement in the territory surrounding the already existent Castle of Monteregio.

Beginning from the 11th century the citizens of Massa Marittima began to take on roles of great importance and relevance, becoming the first bishopric seat and then establishing itself as an Independent Commune; Massa Marittima then, however, had to submit to the city of Pisa, conquered on the part of the great Sienese power, who managed to maintain control for another century. Finally it fell under the rule of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, with the politics of the influential De’Medici family of Florence.