Semproniano
Semproniano is a small community in the province of Grosseto, extremely close to the wonderful territory of Mount Amiata and seen as one of the most significant and frequented centres in the Maremma.
The town is situated in a hilly territory, between splendid scenes and landscapes of the Maremma Tuscany. With its cultivated countryside, waterways and valleys of the rivers Albegna and Fiora, the village deserves to be visited and appreciated in all its beauty and great wonder.
It offers to its visitors the possibility to admire some of the most fascinating and extraordinary monuments and historic palazzi Tuscany has to offer.
Immersed amongst panoramas of great beauty and charm, the Maremman town rises on the valleys of the Albegna and Fiora Rivers, boasting a natural scenery and countryside that is absolutely suggestive and unique.
It is surrounded by a great number of small ancient villages, locations rich in history, art, culture and profound architectonic interest. The town is also home to many works of art and ancient monuments which are a testament of a very ancient and interesting past that ties all of the Maremma together.
Walking down the streets of this village is a chance to discover architecture which is absolutely special and unique.
Not to miss:
Church of Santa Croce: the principal building of the town, its construction dates back to the Middle Ages. Inside you can find precious works of art, including a stoup dating back to the Renaissance, a painting from the 1600’s and a wooden Crucifix.
Palazzo Civico (Civic Palazzo): of medieval origins.
Palazzo del Vicario Mediceo: built during the Middle Ages.
La Rocca Aldobrandesca (The Aldobrandesca Fortress): the principal fortification of this Tuscan town, a very ancient building, it is surrounded by the few ruins of what used to be its defensive wall.
La Pieve dei Santi Vincenzo ed Anastasio (The Parish Church of Saint Vincenzo and Anastasio): a religious building dating back to the 13th century and home to some splendid frescoes of the 1500’s.
Ex Oratorio di San Rocco (The Ex- Oratory of St. Rocco): a deconsecrated building which today has been transformed into a monument to the fallen. It was built in the new part of the city.
Leaving Semproniano and heading towards Saturnia, you have the opportunity to admire historic buildings and monuments of great beauty and artistic interest. Including the Church of the Madonna, built during the 1500’s and home to some splendid works of art; and the ruins of a very ancient Etruscan farm, located in place called Tartuchino.
The Mineralogical Museum: its display on the typical rocks and minerals of the Amiata territory is definitely the most unique and particular of its genre, a real symbol of the ancient land.
Centro di Recupero Animali (The Animal Recuperation Centre): housing both species native to the territory and other more exotic animals. The centre can be visited and provides the opportunity to admire and appreciate the volunteer work done to safeguard the local fauna and mend the problems of the natural world.
History:
The history of this town and its territory is uniquely interesting. In fact numerous ruins found in the zone indicate the presence of a settlement and population in the areas surrounding Semproniano during the Etruscan age.
However, the first real foundations of the Maremman town date back to before the year 1000 when Semproniano was originally controlled by the Aldobrandeschi family.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance the town became part of the Republic of Siena, then the powerful Stato dei presidi Spagnolo (State of Spanish Presidi) and then the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Finally it annexed by the Kingdom of Italy, but in the course of centuries, the town progressively took its own independence, and for some times was annexed by the commune of Roccalbegna, obtaining autonomy only fairly recently.