Grosseto () is a city and ''
comune
The (; plural: ) is a local administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions ('' regioni'') and provinces (''province''). The can also ...
'' in the central
Italian
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
region of
Tuscany
Tuscany ( ; it, Toscana ) is a Regions of Italy, region in central Italy with an area of about and a population of about 3.8 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence (''Firenze'').
Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history, art ...
, the capital of the
Province of Grosseto
The province of Grosseto ( it, links=no, provincia di Grosseto) is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Grosseto. As of 2013 the province had a total population of 225,098 people.
Geography
The Province of Gros ...
. The city lies from the
Tyrrhenian Sea
The Tyrrhenian Sea (; it, Mar Tirreno , french: Mer Tyrrhénienne , sc, Mare Tirrenu, co, Mari Tirrenu, scn, Mari Tirrenu, nap, Mare Tirreno) is part of the Mediterranean Sea off the western coast of Italy. It is named for the Tyrrhenian pe ...
, in the
Maremma
The Maremma (, ; from Latin , "maritime and) is a coastal area of western central Italy, bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. It includes much of south-western Tuscany and part of northern Lazio. It was formerly mostly marshland, often malarial, bu ...
, at the centre of an alluvial plain on the
Ombrone
The Ombrone (Latin: ''Umbro'') is a long river in Tuscany, central Italy.
The Ombrone's source is at San Gusmè, near Castelnuovo Berardenga, on the south-eastern side of the Monti del Chianti. After a twisting route, it receives the waters of ...
river.
It is the most populous city in Maremma, with 82,284 inhabitants. The comune of Grosseto includes the ''
frazioni
A ''frazione'' (plural: ) is a type of subdivision of a ''comune'' (municipality) in Italy, often a small village or hamlet outside the main town. Most ''frazioni'' were created during the Fascist era (1922–1943) as a way to consolidate territ ...
'' of
Marina di Grosseto
Marina di Grosseto () is a popular tourist destination located twelve kilometers from Grosseto; it is an important seaside resort in Grossetan Maremma. Once a fishing village, it is known for its hilly hinterland, rich in macchia and wide beaches ...
, the largest one,
Roselle,
Principina a Mare
Principina a Mare () is an Italian ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto, in the province of the same name.
Overview
The centre, less populated during winter, is mainly made up of houses of holidaymakers, hotels and a campsite. It is freq ...
,
Principina Terra
Principina Terra () is a village in southern Tuscany, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
Overview
The frazione is situated south-east of the capital, nearly halfway between the residential centre and the coastal localities of Marina di ...
,
Montepescali
Montepescali () is a small town in southern Tuscany, Italy, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
The site, from which the scenic panorama of the coastal strip and the Tuscan Archipelago up to Corsica can be seen, is also known as "Terrac ...
,
Braccagni
Braccagni () is a village in Tuscany, administratively a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
It is positioned in the northern part of the municipal territory, at the bottom of the hill of Montepescali.
History
The village of Braccagni wa ...
,
Istia d'Ombrone
Istia d'Ombrone () is a small town in southern Tuscany, Italy, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
History
In the area surrounding the centre of Istia there have been found some ruins of ancient habitations dating back to the Etruscan e ...
,
Batignano
Batignano () is a small town in southern Tuscany, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto, positioned at about 10 km north-east of the capital on one of the last foot-hills of the valley of Ombrone which dominated the ancient city of Ros ...
,
Alberese
Alberese () is a rural town in southern Tuscany, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto. It is situated 20 km south-east of the capital, in the heart of the Natural Park of Maremma. This area includes the surrounding rural territories ...
and
Rispescia
Rispescia (), or Santa Maria di Rispescia, is a small town in southern Tuscany, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto, situated about 10 km south-east of the capital, right outside the Natural Park of Maremma, near the frazione of Alber ...
.
History
The origins of Grosseto can be traced back to the
High Middle Ages
The High Middle Ages, or High Medieval Period, was the periodization, period of European history that lasted from AD 1000 to 1300. The High Middle Ages were preceded by the Early Middle Ages and were followed by the Late Middle Ages, which ended ...
. It was first mentioned in 803 as a fief of the Counts Aldobrandeschi, in a document recording the assignment of the church of St. George to
Ildebrando degli Aldobrandeschi
Hildeprand (died after 744), sometimes called the Useless, was the king of the Lombards from around 735 in association with his uncle, Liutprand. After Liutprand's death in 744, Hildeprand ruled in his own name until he was overthrown later that y ...
, whose successors were counts of the Grossetana Mark until the end of the 12th century.
Grosseto steadily grew in importance, owing to the decline of
Rusellae
Rusellae was an important ancient town of Etruria (roughly modern Tuscany), which survived until the Middle Ages before being abandoned. The impressive archaeological remains lie near the modern ''frazione'' or village of Roselle () in the ''comun ...
and
Vetulonia
Vetulonia, formerly called Vetulonium ( Etruscan: ''Vatluna''), was an ancient town of Etruria, Italy, the site of which is probably occupied by the modern village of Vetulonia, which up to 1887 bore the name of Colonnata and Colonna di Buriano: t ...
until it was one of the principal Tuscan cities. In 1137 the city was besieged by German troops, led by
Duke Heinrich X of
Bavaria
Bavaria ( ; ), officially the Free State of Bavaria (german: Freistaat Bayern, link=no ), is a state in the south-east of Germany. With an area of , Bavaria is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total lan ...
, sent by the emperor
Lothair III
Lothair III, sometimes numbered Lothair II and also known as Lothair of Supplinburg (1075 – 4 December 1137), was Holy Roman Emperor from 1133 until his death. He was appointed List of rulers of Saxony, Duke of Saxony in 1106 and elected List o ...
to reinstate his authority over the Aldobrandeschi. In the following year the
bishopric of Roselle
Rusellae was an important ancient town of Etruria (roughly modern Tuscany), which survived until the Middle Ages before being abandoned. The impressive archaeological remains lie near the modern ''frazione'' or village of Roselle () in the ''comu ...
was transferred to Grosseto.
In 1151 the citizens swore loyalty to the
Republic of Siena
The Republic of Siena ( it, Repubblica di Siena, la, Respublica Senensis) was a historic state consisting of the city of Siena and its surrounding territory in Tuscany, central Italy. It existed for over 400 years, from 1125 to 1555. During its e ...
, and in 1222 the Aldobrandeschi gave the Grossetani the right to have their own
podestà
Podestà (, English: Potestate, Podesta) was the name given to the holder of the highest civil office in the government of the cities of Central and Northern Italy during the Late Middle Ages. Sometimes, it meant the chief magistrate of a city ...
, together with three councilors and consuls. In 1244 the city was reconquered by the Sienese, and its powers, together with all the Aldobrandeschi's imperial privileges, were transferred to Siena by order of the
imperial vicar
An imperial vicar (german: Reichsvikar) was a prince charged with administering all or part of the Holy Roman Empire on behalf of the emperor. Later, an imperial vicar was invariably one of two princes charged by the Golden Bull with administering ...
. Thereafter Grosseto shared the fortunes of Siena. It became an important stronghold, and the fortress (''rocca''), the walls and bastions can still to be seen.
In 1266 and in 1355, Grosseto tried in vain to win freedom from the overlordship of Siena. While
Guelph and Ghibelline
The Guelphs and Ghibellines (, , ; it, guelfi e ghibellini ) were factions supporting the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, respectively, in the Italian city-states of Central Italy and Northern Italy.
During the 12th and 13th centuries, rival ...
parties struggled for control of that city, Umberto and Aldobrandino Aldobrandeschi tried to regain Grosseto for their family. The Sienese armies were, however, victorious, and in 1259 they named a podestà from their city. But Grosseto gained its freedom and in the following year and fought alongside the
Florentine forces in the
Battle of Montaperti
The Battle of Montaperti was fought on 4 September 1260 between Florence and Siena in Tuscany as part of the conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. The Florentines were routed. It was the bloodiest battle fought in Medieval Italy, wi ...
.
Over the next 80 years Grosseto was again occupied, ravaged, excommunicated by
Pope Clement IV
Pope Clement IV ( la, Clemens IV; 23 November 1190 – 29 November 1268), born Gui Foucois ( la, Guido Falcodius; french: Guy de Foulques or ') and also known as Guy le Gros ( French for "Guy the Fat"; it, Guido il Grosso), was bishop of Le P ...
, besieged by emperor
Louis IV and by the
antipope Nicholas V
Nicholas V, born Pietro Rainalducci (c. 125816 October 1333) was an antipope in Italy from 12 May 1328 to 25 July 1330 during the pontificate of Pope John XXII (1316–1334) at Avignon. He was the last antipope set up by a Holy Roman Emper ...
in 1328, until it finally submitted to its more powerful neighbour, Siena.
The
pestilence of 1348 struck Grosseto hard and by 1369 its population had been reduced to some hundred families. Its territory, moreover, was frequently ravaged, notably in 1447 by
Alfons V of Sicily and in 1455 by
Jacopo Piccinino Jacopo Piccinino (1423 - July 1465) was an Italian condottiero and nobleman, the son of military leader Niccolò Piccinino. A native of Perugia, he was the feudal lord of Sulmona, Sterpeto, Assisi, Chieti, Città Sant'Angelo, Francavilla al Mare, ...
.
Sienese rule ended in 1559, when
Charles V Charles V may refer to:
* Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1500–1558)
* Charles V of Naples (1661–1700), better known as Charles II of Spain
* Charles V of France (1338–1380), called the Wise
* Charles V, Duke of Lorraine (1643–1690)
* Infan ...
handed over the whole duchy to
Cosimo I de Medici
Cosimo I de' Medici (12 June 1519 – 21 April 1574) was the second Duke of Florence from 1537 until 1569, when he became the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, a title he held until his death.
Life
Rise to power
Cosimo was born in Florence on 12 ...
, first grand duke of
Tuscany
Tuscany ( ; it, Toscana ) is a Regions of Italy, region in central Italy with an area of about and a population of about 3.8 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence (''Firenze'').
Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history, art ...
. In 1574 the construction of a line of defensive walls was begun, which are still well preserved today, while the surrounding swampy plain was drained. Grosseto, however, remained a minor town, with only 700 inhabitants at the beginning of the 18th century.
Under the rule of the House of Lorraine, Grosseto flourished. It was given the title of capital of the new Maremma province.
Geography
Climate
Grosseto has a
Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate (also called a dry summer temperate climate ''Cs'') is a temperate climate sub-type, generally characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, fairly wet winters; these weather conditions are typically experienced in the ...
with very mild wet winters and very hot dry summers. On average there are 25 nights a year where the low reaches or dips below freezing but there are also 41 days where the high is at or surpasses . There are 12 days of fog on an average year.
Government
Subdivisions
The eight current
administrative division
Administrative division, administrative unit,Article 3(1). country subdivision, administrative region, subnational entity, constituent state, as well as many similar terms, are generic names for geographical areas into which a particular, ind ...
s with their neighbourhoods:
Frazioni
Alberese
Alberese, located south-east of the capital, is the heart of the Natural Park of
Maremma
The Maremma (, ; from Latin , "maritime and) is a coastal area of western central Italy, bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. It includes much of south-western Tuscany and part of northern Lazio. It was formerly mostly marshland, often malarial, bu ...
. The name is also extended to the surrounding rural areas which go from the first foothills of the hinterland hills to the sea through the northern slopes of the Uccellina Mountains.
Batignano
Of uncertain origins, Batignano developed in the
Medieval period
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
, around the castle which controlled the outlet of the road towards
Siena
Siena ( , ; lat, Sena Iulia) is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.
The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities, having been a major banking center until the 13th and 14th centuri ...
on the plain of Grosseto and some lead and silver mines. It was a feud of the
Aldobrandeschi
The Aldobrandeschi were an Italian noble family from southern Tuscany.
Overview
Of probable Lombard origin, they appear in history as counts in the 9th century. The first known count was Hildebrand II (857). Their possession extended to what i ...
and in 1213 belonged to Manto da Grosseto. In the 14th century, it then passed under the dominion of Siena, hosting many immigrants from
Corsica
Corsica ( , Upper , Southern ; it, Corsica; ; french: Corse ; lij, Còrsega; sc, Còssiga) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 18 regions of France. It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of ...
, and so in the
Grand Duchy of Tuscany
The Grand Duchy of Tuscany ( it, Granducato di Toscana; la, Magnus Ducatus Etruriae) was an Italian monarchy that existed, with interruptions, from 1569 to 1859, replacing the Republic of Florence. The grand duchy's capital was Florence. In th ...
. In 1738 it was reunited with the comune of Grosseto.
Braccagni
Once being simply an appendix of Montepescali, Braccagni is seen today more independently as it is believed to be the nodal point of the economy of the area. The railway station, the
Aurelia Aurelia may refer to:
People
* Version of feminine given name Aurélie
* Aurelia (mother of Caesar)
* Aurelia gens, a Roman family
* Aurelia Browder, American civil rights activist
* Astrud Aurelia, American drag queen
Science
* ''Aurelia'' (c ...
, many activities which have developed in the last few years, new habitations, these have all created its new identity as a modern town, in continuous evolution.
Istia d'Ombrone
Istia d'Ombrone is a town situated about east of the capital. The center of Istia emerged as a fortified settlement along the valley of the river
Ombrone
The Ombrone (Latin: ''Umbro'') is a long river in Tuscany, central Italy.
The Ombrone's source is at San Gusmè, near Castelnuovo Berardenga, on the south-eastern side of the Monti del Chianti. After a twisting route, it receives the waters of ...
and it was owned by the bishops of Roselle since 862.
Marina di Grosseto
Marina di Grosseto is a famous tourist destination located from Grosseto; it is an important seaside resort in
Maremma
The Maremma (, ; from Latin , "maritime and) is a coastal area of western central Italy, bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. It includes much of south-western Tuscany and part of northern Lazio. It was formerly mostly marshland, often malarial, bu ...
. Once a fishing village, it is known for its hilly hinterland, rich in macchia and wide beaches overlooking the
Tyrrhenian Sea
The Tyrrhenian Sea (; it, Mar Tirreno , french: Mer Tyrrhénienne , sc, Mare Tirrenu, co, Mari Tirrenu, scn, Mari Tirrenu, nap, Mare Tirreno) is part of the Mediterranean Sea off the western coast of Italy. It is named for the Tyrrhenian pe ...
, with a vast pine forest that extends from
Punta Ala
Punta Ala (formerly Punta Troia) is a ''frazione'' of the town of Castiglione della Pescaia, in the province of Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy. The small town with a population of 402 people lies at the bottom of the northern hillsides of the promontory ...
to Alberese.
Montepescali
Montepescali is a small town of medieval origins. The site, from which the scenic panorama of the coastal strip and the
Tuscan Archipelago up to
Corsica
Corsica ( , Upper , Southern ; it, Corsica; ; french: Corse ; lij, Còrsega; sc, Còssiga) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 18 regions of France. It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of ...
can be seen, is also known as "Terrace or balcony of the Maremma".
Principina a Mare
Principina a Mare is a seaside resort. The center, sparsely populated land in winter, consists primarily of houses of holidaymakers, hotels, high class and a camp category average. However, the location is quite popular due to its proximity to the mouth of the river
Ombrone
The Ombrone (Latin: ''Umbro'') is a long river in Tuscany, central Italy.
The Ombrone's source is at San Gusmè, near Castelnuovo Berardenga, on the south-eastern side of the Monti del Chianti. After a twisting route, it receives the waters of ...
and the Natural Park of
Maremma
The Maremma (, ; from Latin , "maritime and) is a coastal area of western central Italy, bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. It includes much of south-western Tuscany and part of northern Lazio. It was formerly mostly marshland, often malarial, bu ...
.
Principina Terra
The village of Principina Terra is located south-west of the capital city, almost halfway between the city center and the seaside resorts of Marina di Grosseto and Principina a Mare. The area surrounding the village was washed from the shores of ancient Lake Prile.
Rispescia
Rispescia is a modern residential area, located about south-east of the capital, near the Natural Park of Maremma and the ''
frazione
A ''frazione'' (plural: ) is a type of subdivision of a ''comune'' (municipality) in Italy, often a small village or hamlet outside the main town. Most ''frazioni'' were created during the Fascist era (1922–1943) as a way to consolidate territ ...
'' of Alberese.
Roselle
Roselle, in Latin ''Rusellae'', now a municipal ''frazione'' of Grosseto, was once the main city in the area. Of Etruscan origin, it was built on a hill that offered protection and commanded all the nearby valley. The extent of its dominion is not clear, but probably at its peak included most of the
Vetulonia
Vetulonia, formerly called Vetulonium ( Etruscan: ''Vatluna''), was an ancient town of Etruria, Italy, the site of which is probably occupied by the modern village of Vetulonia, which up to 1887 bore the name of Colonnata and Colonna di Buriano: t ...
territory. The city's splendour ended in 294 BCE, when, according to
Livy
Titus Livius (; 59 BC – AD 17), known in English as Livy ( ), was a Ancient Rome, Roman historian. He wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people, titled , covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome before the traditiona ...
, the
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic ( la, Res publica Romana ) was a form of government of Rome and the era of the classical Roman civilization when it was run through public representation of the Roman people. Beginning with the overthrow of the Roman Kin ...
conquered it. After the end of the Roman Empire, in the 5th century, Roselle was still the most important centre of what is now southern Tuscany. Its gradual decline began in 1138, when the diocesan seat was moved to Grosseto.
Etruscan __NOTOC__
Etruscan may refer to:
Ancient civilization
*The Etruscan language, an extinct language in ancient Italy
*Something derived from or related to the Etruscan civilization
**Etruscan architecture
**Etruscan art
**Etruscan cities
** Etrusca ...
ruins had been discovered in Roselle, including cyclopean walls, in circumference, and sulphur baths, which in the last century were restored for medicinal uses. There was formerly an amphitheatre.
Culture
Language
Literature
Andrea da Grosseto was born in Grosseto in the first half of 1200. He is very important in
Italian literature
Italian literature is written in the Italian language, particularly within Italy. It may also refer to literature written by Italians or in other languages spoken in Italy, often languages that are closely related to modern Italian, including ...
, because he is considered the first writer in the
Italian language
Italian (''italiano'' or ) is a Romance language of the Indo-European language family that evolved from the Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire. Together with Sardinian, Italian is the least divergent language from Latin. Spoken by about 85 m ...
. Andrea da Grosseto translated from Latin the Moral Treaties of
Albertano of Brescia, in 1268. His texts were written in the Italian language, without too many redundancies and constructions, words and typical ways of speech of the vernacular and the dialect. The writer intended to not utilise his own Grossetan dialect, but to use a general "Italian national language". In fact he twice refers to the vernacular which he uses defining it ''italico'' (Italic). So Andrea da Grosseto was the first to intend to use vernacular as a national unifying language from the north to the south of the entire Peninsula.
Museums
*
Museo archeologico e d'arte della Maremma
*
Museo di storia naturale della Maremma
*
Museo Collezione Gianfranco Luzzetti
Cinema
Grosseto and Maremma have been settings for numerous works of fiction and movies, including the novels and associated films, such as ''
The Easy Life
''Il sorpasso'' (, occasionally titled ''The Easy Life'') is a 1962 Italian cult comedy film co-written and directed by Dino Risi and starring Vittorio Gassman, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Catherine Spaak. It is considered Risi's masterpiece and ...
'' (1962) with
Vittorio Gassman
Vittorio Gassman (; born Gassmann; 1 September 1922 – 29 June 2000), popularly known as , was an Italian actor, director and screenwriter.
He is considered one of the greatest Italian actors, whose career includes both important productions ...
; ''
La vita agra
''La vita agra'', known in English-speaking countries as ''It's a Hard Life'', is a novel by Luciano Bianciardi published in 1962 by Rizzoli. It became a best-seller in Italy and it is considered one of the most important novels in contemporary ...
'' (1964), from the
novel of the same name by
Luciano Bianciardi
Luciano Bianciardi (; 14 December 1922 – 14 November 1971) was an Italian journalist, translator and writer of short stories and novels.
He contributed significantly to the cultural ferment in post-war Italy, working actively with various pub ...
, with
Ugo Tognazzi
Ugo Tognazzi (23 March 1922 – 27 October 1990) was an Italian actor, director, and screenwriter.
Early life
Tognazzi was born in Cremona, in northern Italy but spent his youth in various localities as his father was a travelling clerk fo ...
; ''
An Ideal Place To Kill'' (1969) directed by
Umberto Lenzi
Umberto Lenzi (6 August 1931 – 19 October 2017) was an Italian film director, screenwriter, and novelist.
A fan of film since young age, Lenzi studied at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia and made his first film in 1958 which went unr ...
; ''
In viaggio con papà'' (1982), with
Alberto Sordi
Alberto Sordi (15 June 1920 – 24 February 2003) was an Italian actor, voice actor, singer, comedian, director and screenwriter.
Early life
Born in Rome to a schoolteacher and a musician and the last of five children, Sordi was named in hon ...
; ''
Nothing Left to Do But Cry
''Non ci resta che piangere'' (in the U.S. is also known as ''Nothing Left to Do But Cry'') it is a 1984 film written, directed and starring Roberto Benigni and Massimo Troisi.
Plot
Tuscan countryside. The janitor Mario and the teacher Saveri ...
'' (1984), with
Massimo Troisi and
Roberto Benigni
Roberto Remigio Benigni (; born 27 October 1952) is an Italian actor, comedian, screenwriter and director. He gained international recognition for writing, directing and starring in the Holocaust comedy-drama film ''Life Is Beautiful'' (1997), f ...
; ''
It's Happening Tomorrow
''It's Happening Tomorrow'' ( it, Domani accadrà) is a 1988 Italian comedy film directed by Daniele Luchetti. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival.
Cast
* Paolo Hendel as Lupo
* Giovanni Guidelli ...
'' (1988); ''
Viola bacia tutti'' (1997) with
Asia Argento
Asia Argento (; born Aria Maria Vittoria Rossa Argento; 20 September 1975) is an Italian actress and filmmaker. The daughter of filmmaker Dario Argento, she has had roles in several of her father's features and achieved mainstream success with ...
; ''
The Talented Mr. Ripley
''The Talented Mr. Ripley'' is a 1955 psychological thriller novel by Patricia Highsmith. This novel introduced the character of Tom Ripley, who returns in four subsequent novels. It has been adapted numerous times for screen, including ''Purpl ...
'' with
Matt Damon
Matthew Paige Damon (; born October 8, 1970) is an American actor, film producer, and screenwriter. Ranked among ''Forbes'' most bankable stars, the films in which he has appeared have collectively earned over $3.88 billion at the North Americ ...
and
Jude Law
David Jude Heyworth Law (born 29 December 1972) is an English actor. He received a British Academy Film Award, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards, two Tony Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. In 2007, he received an Honorary Césa ...
; ''
Emma sono io'' (2002); Roberto Benigni's ''
Pinocchio
Pinocchio ( , ) is a fictional character and the protagonist of the children's novel ''The Adventures of Pinocchio'' (1883) by Italian writer Carlo Collodi of Florence, Tuscany. Pinocchio was carved by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a Tuscan vil ...
''; ''
Manuale d'amore 3
''The Ages of Love'' ( it, Manuale d'amore 3, also known as ''Manual of Love 3'') is a 2011 Italian romantic comedy film consisting of three segments. It was directed by Giovanni Veronesi, and it is a sequel of '' Manual of Love'' (2005) and ''Ma ...
'' (2011) with
Robert De Niro
Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. ( , ; born August 17, 1943) is an American actor. Known for his collaborations with Martin Scorsese, he is considered to be one of the best actors of his generation. De Niro is the recipient of various accolades ...
and
Monica Bellucci
Monica Anna Maria Bellucci (; born 30 September 1964) is an Italian actress and model. She began her career as a fashion model, modelling for Dolce & Gabbana and Dior, before making a transition to Italian films and later American and French ...
; Swiss movie ''
Summer Games'', and some
Leonardo Pieraccioni
Leonardo Pieraccioni (born 17 February 1965) is an Italian film director, actor, comedian and screenwriter.
Born in Florence, he made his directorial debut with '' The Graduates'' (1995). In 1996 he directed his breakthrough film '' The Cyclone ...
's movies. Famous Italian actress
Elsa Martinelli
Elsa Martinelli (born Elisa Tia; 30 January 1935 – 8 July 2017) was an Italian actress and fashion model.
Life and career
Born Elisa Tia in Grosseto, Tuscany, she moved to Rome with her family. In 1953, she was discovered by Roberto Capu ...
and actor
Luigi Pistilli
Luigi Pistilli (19 July 192921 April 1996) was an Italian actor of stage, screen, and television.
At one time Pistilli was one of Italy's most respected actors of stage, screen, and television. In theater, he was considered one of the country's ...
were both born in Grosseto. Actress
Laura Morante
Laura Morante (born 21 August 1956) is an Italian film actress.
Life and career
Morante was born in Santa Fiora, province of Grosseto (Tuscany), the daughter of lawyer and playwright Marcello Morante, who was the son of Irma (née Poggibonsi) ( ...
was born in
Santa Fiora
Santa Fiora is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Grosseto, in the Italian region of Tuscany, located about southeast of Florence and about east of Grosseto. Santa Fiora borders the following municipalities: Abbadia San Salvatore, Arc ...
, and director
Umberto Lenzi
Umberto Lenzi (6 August 1931 – 19 October 2017) was an Italian film director, screenwriter, and novelist.
A fan of film since young age, Lenzi studied at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia and made his first film in 1958 which went unr ...
in
Massa Marittima
Massa Marittima (Latin: ''Massa Veternensis'') is a town and ''comune'' of the province of Grosseto, southern Tuscany, Italy, 49 km NNW of Grosseto.
There are mineral springs, mines of iron, mercury, lignite and copper, with foundries, iron ...
, both in the
province of Grosseto
The province of Grosseto ( it, links=no, provincia di Grosseto) is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Grosseto. As of 2013 the province had a total population of 225,098 people.
Geography
The Province of Gros ...
.
Cuisine
''Schiaccia alla pala'' (
oven-baked bread with oil) and ''Schiaccia con cipolle e acciughe'' (oven-baked bread with onions and European anchovy) are typical breads of the city of Grosseto. ''Acquacotta'' is typical of
Mount Amiata
Mount Amiata is the largest of the lava domes in the Amiata lava dome complex located about 20 km northwest of Lake Bolsena in the southern Tuscany region of Italy. It is located within the provinces of Grosseto and Siena.
Geology
Mount A ...
: it is a poor soup, and the main ingredients are
artichokes
The globe artichoke (''Cynara cardunculus'' var. ''scolymus'' ),Rottenberg, A., and D. Zohary, 1996: "The wild ancestry of the cultivated artichoke." Genet. Res. Crop Evol. 43, 53–58. also known by the names French artichoke and green articho ...
,
broccoli
Broccoli (''Brassica oleracea'' var. ''italica'') is an edible green plant in the cabbage family (family Brassicaceae, genus ''Brassica'') whose large flowering head, stalk and small associated leaves are eaten as a vegetable. Broccoli is cl ...
,
cabbage
Cabbage, comprising several cultivars of ''Brassica oleracea'', is a leafy green, red (purple), or white (pale green) biennial plant grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. It is descended from the wild cabbage ( ''B.&nb ...
,
beans
A bean is the seed of several plants in the family Fabaceae, which are used as vegetables for human or animal food. They can be cooked in many different ways, including boiling, frying, and baking, and are used in many traditional dishes th ...
,
borage
Borage ( or ; ''Borago officinalis''), also known as starflower, is an annual herb in the flowering plant family Boraginaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region, and has naturalized in many other locales.
It grows satisfactorily in gard ...
, pisciacane (
dandelion
''Taraxacum'' () is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, which consists of species commonly known as dandelions. The scientific and hobby study of the genus is known as taraxacology. The genus is native to Eurasia and Nor ...
) and similar vegetables. The
Maremmana cattle is one of the two breeds used in the preparation of the
florentine steak.
Main sights
The Medicean Walls
The walls were commissioned by
Cosimo I de Medici
Cosimo I de' Medici (12 June 1519 – 21 April 1574) was the second Duke of Florence from 1537 until 1569, when he became the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, a title he held until his death.
Life
Rise to power
Cosimo was born in Florence on 12 ...
in 1564, in order to replace those from the 12th-14th centuries, as part of his policy of making Grosseto a stronghold to protect his southern border. The design was by
Baldassarre Lanci
Baldassarre Lanci (1510–1571) was an Italian architect, inventor, theatrical set designer, and master of perspective of the Renaissance period. Born in Urbino, he spent most of his working life in Tuscany.
Early career
He began his career as mi ...
, and construction began in 1565. Until 1757 the exterior was surrounded by a ditch with an earthen moat. There were two main gates: Porta Nuova on the north and Porta Reale (now Porta Vecchia) on the south.
The walls are now used as a public park and walking area.
Religious architecture
Cathedral
The Romanesque cathedral, the main monument of the city, is named for its patron St. Lawrence, and was begun at the end of the 13th century, by architect Sozzo Rustichini of Siena. Erected over the earlier church of Santa Maria Assunta, it was only finished in the 15th century (mainly due to the continuing struggles against Siena).
The façade of alternate layers of white and black marble is
Romanesque in style, but is almost entirely the result of 16th century and 1816–1855 restorations: it retains decorative parts of the originary buildings, including Evangelists' symbols. The layout consists of a Latin cross, with transept and apse. The interior has a nave with two aisles, separated by cruciform pilasters. The main artworks are a wondrously carved baptismal font from 1470–1474 and the ''
Madonna delle Grazie
Our Lady of Graces (Italian: ''Madonna delle Grazie'' or ''Nostra Signora delle Grazie'') or Saint Mary of Graces (Italian: ''Santa Maria delle Grazie'') is a devotion to the Virgin Mary in the Roman Catholic Church. Several churches with this d ...
'' by
Matteo di Giovanni
Matteo di Giovanni (c. 1430 – 1495) was an Italian Renaissance artist from the Sienese School.
Biography
Matteo di Giovanni di Bartolo was born in Borgo Sansepolcro around 1430. His family relocated to Siena and he is firmly associated with ...
(1470).
The
campanile
A bell tower is a tower that contains one or more bells, or that is designed to hold bells even if it has none. Such a tower commonly serves as part of a Christian church, and will contain church bells, but there are also many secular bell tower ...
(bell tower) was finished in 1402, and restored in 1911.
Churches in the city centre
*''
Church of San Francesco''. Situated in its homonymous square, it was built in the 13th century, initially an important Benedictine, later Franciscan convent. The complex underwent several restorations and reconstructions: the
bell
A bell is a directly struck idiophone percussion instrument. Most bells have the shape of a hollow cup that when struck vibrates in a single strong strike tone, with its sides forming an efficient resonator. The strike may be made by an inter ...
was rebuilt in the first half of the 20th century. Very characteristic is the wooden tabernacle that stands on the front and inside there are works of art from various historical periods. At the center of the cloister stands the characteristic Pozzo della Bufala (''Well of the Buffalo'') in
travertine
Travertine ( ) is a form of terrestrial limestone deposited around mineral springs, especially hot springs. It often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, cream-colored, and even rusty varieties. It is formed by a pro ...
; another well is located in the square outside the church.
*''Convent of Clarisse''. Located on ''strada Vinzaglio'', the convent is annexed to the
Church of Bigi. The convent of Clarisse and the church of Bigi are now deconsecrated. The entire complex is characterized by the probable medieval origins, which was followed by a series of restorations in
Baroque
The Baroque (, ; ) is a style of architecture, music, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished in Europe from the early 17th century until the 1750s. In the territories of the Spanish and Portuguese empires including t ...
style in the 17th century. Today the convent hosts the ''Museolab Città di Grosseto'' and the university.
*''
Church of San Pietro''. The oldest religious building in town, it was built along the stretch of the
Via Aurelia
The ''Via Aurelia'' (Latin for "Aurelian Way") is a Roman road in Italy constructed in approximately 241 BC. The project was undertaken by Gaius Aurelius Cotta, who at that time was censor.Hornblower, Simon, & Antony Spawforth. ''The Oxford Cl ...
that crossed the center and was originally a plebeian and stational church along the old consular road.
*''Church of Misericordia'' (19th century). It belonged to various religious orders during the following centuries, before moving on brotherhood in the early decades of the 19th century. In the past, there were several well-preserved works of art currently on display in the section on Sacred Art of the
Archaeological and Art Museum of Maremma.
Churches outside the city walls
*''
Sacro Cuore di Gesù'', a
minor basilica
In the Catholic Church, a basilica is a designation given by the Pope to a church building. Basilicas are distinguished for ceremonial purposes from other churches. The building need not be a basilica in the architectural sense (a rectangular ...
built in 1958, it was designed by engineer
Ernesto Ganelli
Ernesto Ganelli (24 February 1901 – 9 September 1985) was an Italian civil engineer who designed various public and religious buildings in Tuscany.
Biography
Born in Alessandria, Ganelli graduated in civil engineering at the Sapienza Universit ...
and it is located along ''via della Pace''.
*''Medaglia Miracolosa'', built in the early 20th century behind the Palazzo delle Poste in a
neo-Romanesque
Romanesque Revival (or Neo-Romanesque) is a style of building employed beginning in the mid-19th century inspired by the 11th- and 12th-century Romanesque architecture. Unlike the historic Romanesque style, Romanesque Revival buildings tended to ...
style. It has a bell tower.
*''San Giuseppe'', located in the western part of the urban area, it was built in the 1930s in neo-Romanesque style, divided into three naves. The capitals are adorned with very fine and decorative features.
*''San Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo'', built on the eastern end of the urban area around the middle of last century, the style is neo-Romanesque, it is flanked by a bell tower and preceded by steps and a porch. It was designed by engineer Ernesto Ganelli in 1951.
*''Maria Santissima Addolorata'', built in the 1970s in the neighbourhood of Gorarella, it was designed by architect Carlo Boccianti.
*''Santissimo Crocifisso'', a modern church situated in an area called ''Cittadella dello Studente'', it was designed by Carlo Boccianti.
*''Santa Lucia'', a modern church situated in the neighbourhood of Barbanella.
*''Santa Teresa'', built in the 2000s (decade) and consecrated in 2006, it is situated in an area called ''Cittadella'', on the northern part of the urban area.
Abbeys
*''Abbey of San Rabano'', at the southern end of the town of Grosseto in the heart of the Natural Park of
Maremma
The Maremma (, ; from Latin , "maritime and) is a coastal area of western central Italy, bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. It includes much of south-western Tuscany and part of northern Lazio. It was formerly mostly marshland, often malarial, bu ...
. It was built in the Middle Ages as a Benedictine monastery, passed after the Order of the Knights of Jerusalem and it was finally abandoned in the 16th century.
*
Abbey of San Pancrazio al Fango
The Abbey of San Pancrazio al Fango ( it, Abbazia di San Pancrazio a Fango) is a ruined abbey in the ''comune'' of Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy.
It is situated between Grosseto and Castiglione della Pescaia
Castiglione della Pescaia (), regionall ...
, situated between Grosseto and
Castiglione della Pescaia
Castiglione della Pescaia (), regionally simply abbreviated as Castiglione, is an ancient seaside town in the province of Grosseto, in Tuscany, central Italy. The modern city grew around a medieval 12th century fortress ( it, castello) and a large ...
, in the heart of ''Nature Reserve Diaccia Botrona'', not far from the ''Fattoria della Badiola''. The church, which is in the form of ruins, was built in the Middle Ages on a slight hill overlooking the surrounding wetlands, once occupied by Prile Lake near a building from Roman times.
Civil architecture
Palazzi
Within the walls of Grosseto are the following buildings:
*''
Palazzo Aldobrandeschi''. Of medieval origins, it was almost entirely rebuilt in the early 19th century. It is now a Neo-Gothic edifice with
ogival
An ogive ( ) is the roundly tapered end of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object. Ogive curves and surfaces are used in engineering, architecture and woodworking.
Etymology
The earliest use of the word ''ogive'' is found in the 13th c ...
mullioned windows and merlons in the upper part of the walls. It houses the seat of the province of Grosseto. The architect was
Lorenzo Porciatti.
*''Palazzo Comunale'' (Town hall), located on the north side of ''
piazza Dante'', to the left of the churchyard of the Cathedral. It was built between 1870 and 1873.
*''Episcopal Palace''. It hosts the offices and the curia of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Grosseto
The Diocese of Grosseto ( la, Dioecesis Grossetana) is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in Italy, a suffragan of the archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino, in Tuscany. Its current bishop is Giovanni Roncari, OFMCap.s>Otto ...
.
*''Palace of the former Convent'' (15th century), originally used as an unidentified convent structure.
*''Palace of Monte dei Paschi'', built at the turn of the 20th century, it is a
neo-Renaissance
Renaissance Revival architecture (sometimes referred to as "Neo-Renaissance") is a group of 19th century architectural revival styles which were neither Greek Revival nor Gothic Revival but which instead drew inspiration from a wide range o ...
palace designed by
Vittorio Mariani, with a large
arms
Arms or ARMS may refer to:
*Arm or arms, the upper limbs of the body
Arm, Arms, or ARMS may also refer to:
People
* Ida A. T. Arms (1856–1931), American missionary-educator, temperance leader
Coat of arms or weapons
*Armaments or weapons
**Fi ...
of the bank placed on its main façade.
*''Cassero del Sale'', built during the 14th century as the point of production, distribution and export of salt coming from the salt marshes that once existed along the coast. For several centuries has hosted, therefore, the Customs Officer to control all activities related to production and trade of salt.
*''Former Misericordia Hospital'', a complex on three levels from the 18th century. Now the building hosts the university center of Grosseto.
*''Former Palace of Banca d'Italia''. Overlooking the southern side of ''piazza Socci'', along ''Corso Carducci'', it was renovated in the early 20th century to be the seat of the provincial
Bank of Italy
The Bank of Italy ( Italian: ''Banca d'Italia'', informally referred to as ''Bankitalia''), (), is the central bank of Italy and part of the European System of Central Banks. It is located in Palazzo Koch, via Nazionale, Rome. The bank's cur ...
, then transferred out of the walls of Grosseto in a more modern and complex building.
*''Grand Hotel Bastiani'', located in an impressive neoclassical style palace that facing on ''via Manin'', with a short road that leads toward ''piazza Dante''.
*''Palace of the Old Court'', seat of the
Museo archeologico e d'arte della Maremma since 1975, overlooking the south side of ''piazza Baccarini''. The present building, formerly courthouse, was built in neo
Renaissance
The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries, characterized by an effort to revive and surpass ideas ...
in the second half of 19th century replacing an existing building of medieval origin.
*''Palazzo del Genio Civile'', typical building located along ''Corso Carducci'', it is adjacent to Palazzo Tognetti, which is in continuity with the right side. Built in the early 20th century, it shows fine decorations that recall both the neo-Renaissance and the
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau (; ) is an international style of art, architecture, and applied art, especially the decorative arts. The style is known by different names in different languages: in German, in Italian, in Catalan, and also known as the Modern ...
style.
*''Palazzo Chiarini'', its present appearance dates back to the 17th century. The building has three levels, with round-arched entrance portal on the ground floor dominated by arms.
*''
Palazzo Tognetti'', an
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau (; ) is an international style of art, architecture, and applied art, especially the decorative arts. The style is known by different names in different languages: in German, in Italian, in Catalan, and also known as the Modern ...
style building on three levels located at an angle along ''Corso Carducci'' just before piazza Socci.
*''Palazzo Moschini'', located in ''piazza Socci'', it is a building of medieval origins, restored in the Renaissance and completely renovated during the 19th century. Currently, it houses the State Archives.
*''Palazzo Carmignani'', a landmark building built in the 20th century, it presents a trapezoidal shape, appearing between ''piazza del Sale'', ''strada Ricasoli'' and ''via Mazzini''.
*''Palazzo Chiarini'', located in ''via dell'Unione'', its present appearance dates back to the 17th century. The building has three levels, with round-arched entrance portal on the ground floor dominated by arms.
*''Palazzo Berti''. Overlooking on ''Corso Carducci'' in the front of the Church of San Pietro, it is a stately and elegant building built on four levels. Built in the Middle Ages, its current appearance is due to restructuring in the second half of the 19th century.
*''Palazzo Cappelli'', located along ''Corso Carducci'' to the right of the Church of San Pietro, it is presented in an attractive
neoclassical style.
*''Palazzo Pallini'', an art nouveau building of the early 20th century, it is located along ''Corso Carducci''. Very valuable are the decorations that adorn the façade.
*''Palazzo Mensini'', built in 1898, it is the seat of the
Biblioteca Chelliana.
*''Casa del Fascio'', also known as the ''Palazzo Littorio'', it was built during
Fascism
Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, ultra-nationalist political ideology and movement,: "extreme militaristic nationalism, contempt for electoral democracy and political and cultural liberalism, a belief in natural social hierarchy an ...
in the traditional architectural principles with the characteristic tower. In the past, it hosted the Casa del Fascio (''Fascist House''), but now it is headquarters of the
Guardia di Finanza
The ''Guardia di Finanza'' (G. di F. or GdF) () (English: literal: ''Guard of Finance'', paraphrased: ''Financial Police'' or ''Financial Guard'') is an Italian law enforcement agency under the authority of the Minister of Economy and Finance. ...
.
Outside the walls of Grosseto are the following buildings:
*''Villino Pastorelli'', built between 1908 and 1913 by the architect Lorenzo Porciatti as the residence of the wealthy family of Millanta. The building was later owned by advocate Pastorelli, which retains the name. Purchased by the Banca Nazionale dell'Agricoltura after the war, suffered between 1948 and 1949 substantial changes, including the extension of the back.
*''Villino Panichi'', located in Piazza della Vasca on the corner of via IV Novembre, the building was built in early 20th century designed by the architect Lorenzo Porciatti, whose name was given by the family who lived there originally.
*''Villino Guastini'', built in 1928 by the architect Pistelli and located on ''via Matteotti'', it is an
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau (; ) is an international style of art, architecture, and applied art, especially the decorative arts. The style is known by different names in different languages: in German, in Italian, in Catalan, and also known as the Modern ...
style house with a floor used as storage of agricultural machinery.
*''Former Boarding School Magistrale'', known as ''Scuola Media Giovanni Pascoli'', located in Piazza della Vasca, it was built in 1923 by the engineer Giuseppe Luciani to accommodate boarding and a school.
*''Palazzo delle Poste'' (Post Office), located on Piazza della Vasca, it was designed by the architect
Angiolo Mazzoni
Angiolo Mazzoni (May 21, 1894 – September 28, 1979) was a state architect and engineer of the Italian Fascist government of the 1920s and 1930s.
Mazzoni designed hundreds of public buildings, post offices and train stations during the Interwar ...
in 1930, as a symbol of
Fascist architecture
Fascist architecture encompasses various stylistic trends in architecture developed by architects of fascist states, primarily in the early 20th century. Fascist architectural styles gained popularity in the late 1920s with the rise of modernism a ...
.
*''Palazzo del Governo'', located on Piazza della Vasca, it was designed by Vittorio Mariani and built in 1927.
*''Complesso polifunzionale Cosimini'', located on Piazza della Vasca, it is a multipurpose facility (bank, offices, apartments and shops) designed by
Ludovico Quaroni.
Theatres
*''Teatro degli Industri'', located along ''via Mazzini'', just beyond the palace of the Grand Hotel Bastiani but on the side facing toward the
walls of Grosseto
The Walls of Grosseto ( it, mura di Grosseto), known also as Medicean Walls ( it, mura medicee), are a series of defensive brick walls surrounding the city of Grosseto in southern Tuscany, Italy.
The fortifications were commissioned by Cosimo I ...
, it is an old building rebuilt in the 19th century. It is one of the main sites of the culture of Grosseto.
*''Teatro Moderno'', a modern theatre located outside the city walls. It was used for the trial against
Francesco Schettino
Francesco Schettino (; born 14 November 1960) is an Italian former shipmaster who commanded the cruise ship ''Costa Concordia'' when it struck an underwater rock and capsized with the deaths of 32 passengers and crew off the Italian island of ...
in 2014/15.
Monuments
*''Canapone Monument'', a sculpture dedicated to the
Grand Duke Leopold II of Lorraine, located in the center of ''
Piazza Dante'', at the spot where formerly stood a well-cistern for water.
*''Roman column'', located at the corner of the main façade and the right side of the Cathedral, it was brought in Piazza Dante in
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
from nearby
Roselle before its final abandonment.
*''Unknown Soldier Monument'', built in 1921, it is located along the walls, on the Rimembranza bastion. It honors the victims of World War I and World War II.
*''Andrea da Grosseto Monument'', made between 1973 and 1974 by sculptor Arnaldo Mazzanti, it is located in Piazza Baccarini, opposite the Archeological Museum, in honor of
Andrea da Grosseto, the distinguished scholar who in 1268 translated the Moral Treatises of
Albertanus of Brescia by providing a first example of Italian literary prose.
*''Ettore Socci Monument'', built in 1907 by
Emilio Gallori in honor of Ettore Socci, a Republican, an honorary citizen and member of the College of Grosseto.
*''Well of Spedale'', made during the 15th century, it is located in ''Piazza San Francesco'' in front of the right lateral side of the Church of San Francesco.
*''Well of Buffalo'', located in the courtyard of the cloister of San Francesco, was built by the
Medici
The House of Medici ( , ) was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de' Medici, in the Republic of Florence during the first half of the 15th century. The family originated in the Muge ...
to replace an existing well to supply water to the men who lived in the convent.
*''Well of Fortezza'', located in ''Piazza d'Armi'' inside the Fortezza bastion that surrounds the fortified Citadel, it was built in the 16th century for supply water of the guards stationed there.
Others
*The Etruscan site of
Roselle.
*Medieval buildings in the ''frazioni'' of
Batignano
Batignano () is a small town in southern Tuscany, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto, positioned at about 10 km north-east of the capital on one of the last foot-hills of the valley of Ombrone which dominated the ancient city of Ros ...
,
Istia d'Ombrone
Istia d'Ombrone () is a small town in southern Tuscany, Italy, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
History
In the area surrounding the centre of Istia there have been found some ruins of ancient habitations dating back to the Etruscan e ...
and
Montepescali
Montepescali () is a small town in southern Tuscany, Italy, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
The site, from which the scenic panorama of the coastal strip and the Tuscan Archipelago up to Corsica can be seen, is also known as "Terrac ...
.
*
Granducal villa of Alberese, built by the
Knights Hospitaller
The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem ( la, Ordo Fratrum Hospitalis Sancti Ioannis Hierosolymitani), commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), was a medieval and early modern Catholic Church, Catholic Military ord ...
in the 15th century, and later used as residence by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany.
Sports
Grosseto has enjoyed a long tradition in sports. Baseball and
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
are perhaps the most popular in Grosseto. However, other sports such as
American football
American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team with ...
,
cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striki ...
,
horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic p ...
and
athletics
Athletics may refer to:
Sports
* Sport of athletics, a collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking
** Track and field, a sub-category of the above sport
* Athletics (physical culture), competi ...
are also widely practised.
The premier society of men's baseball in Grosseto is called
Bbc Grosseto Orioles (also referred to by its sponsored name of Montepaschi). Grosseto participates in the highest level of play in Italy,
Serie A1, and it won the national championship in 1986, 1989, 2004 and 2007. The team won the
European Cup
The UEFA Champions League (abbreviated as UCL, or sometimes, UEFA CL) is an annual club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and contested by top-division European clubs, deciding the competit ...
in 2005. Montedeipaschi Grosseto hosts his home games at
Stadio Roberto Jannella.
The
Unione Sportiva Grosseto Football Club was founded in 1912. It has participated in the National Championship of Soccer in
Serie B
The Serie B (), currently named Serie Balkrishna Industries, BKT for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It has been operating for over ninety years since the 1929–30 ...
(the second level of the Italian soccer leagues) since the
2007–2008 season. The football club U.S. Grosseto hosts its games at the
Stadio Carlo Zecchini.
Other important teams are the ''Maremma Cricket Club'' (Serie A) and ''American Football Condor Grosseto'' (Serie B).
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic p ...
is of considerable importance, with several races throughout the year that, in summer, often taking place at night. The sports facility where are played the various races is the ''hippodrome Casalone'', located in the south of the city, at the beginning of the road that leads to
Principina a Mare
Principina a Mare () is an Italian ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto, in the province of the same name.
Overview
The centre, less populated during winter, is mainly made up of houses of holidaymakers, hotels and a campsite. It is freq ...
.
The city is also a major center for athletics:
Stadio Carlo Zecchini has in fact hosted the
European Junior Championships in 2001 and
World Junior Championships in 2004.
Grosseto in 2006 was also the headquarters of the ''World Military Fencing Championships''.
Transportation
Trains
The city is served by the
Pisa-Livorno-Rome railway line connecting
Genoa
Genoa ( ; it, Genova ; lij, Zêna ). is the capital of the Italian region of Liguria and the List of cities in Italy, sixth-largest city in Italy. In 2015, 594,733 people lived within the city's administrative limits. As of the 2011 Italian ce ...
to the capital and serves as the terminus of trains on the single track branch line from Grosseto via Monte Antico to Siena, where it converges with a line from
Chiusi
Chiusi ( Etruscan: ''Clevsin''; Umbrian: ''Camars''; Ancient Greek: ''Klysion'', ''Κλύσιον''; Latin: ''Clusium'') is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Siena, Tuscany, Italy.
History
Clusium (''Clevsin'' in Etruscan) was one ...
and proceeds north to
Empoli
Empoli () is a town and ''comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany, Italy, about southwest of Florence, to the south of the Arno in a plain formed by the river. The plain has been usable for agriculture since Roman times. The comm ...
and
Florence
Florence ( ; it, Firenze ) is a city in Central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region. It is the most populated city in Tuscany, with 383,083 inhabitants in 2016, and over 1,520,000 in its metropolitan area.Bilancio demografico an ...
.
Here is the list of railway stations in the city of Grosseto:
* ''
Grosseto Station'', situated along the Pisa-Livorno-Roma line, it is also the terminus of the
Siena-Grosseto line. It is the main railway station of the city, which serves the city center and the urban area.
* ''
Montepescali Station'', located at the northern limits of the municipality, at the point of bifurcation between the Pisa-Livorno-Rome railway and the
branch line towards Siena.
* ''Alberese Station'', located along the railway Pisa-Livorno-Roma to the southern limits of the municipal area, since 2010 only served by buses.
* ''Rispescia Station'', now disused, situated near the village of
Rispescia
Rispescia (), or Santa Maria di Rispescia, is a small town in southern Tuscany, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto, situated about 10 km south-east of the capital, right outside the Natural Park of Maremma, near the frazione of Alber ...
and was a place of occasional stop for regional trains.
Buses
Local bus service in Grosseto was managed by Tiemme Toscana Mobilità one of the companies of the consortium
ONE Scarl
Compagnia Toscana Trasporti Nord, also known as CTT Nord, was a public transport company established on 22 October 2012, with corporate office in Pisa and operational offices in Livorno, Prato, Lucca and Massa Carrara. It was formed after a long p ...
to accomplish the contract stipulated with the
Regione Toscana
it, Toscano (man) it, Toscana (woman)
, population_note =
, population_blank1_title =
, population_blank1 =
, demographics_type1 = Citizenship
, demographics1_footnotes =
, demographics1_title1 = Italian
, demogra ...
for the public transport in the 2018-2019 period. Intercity buses depart from the main bus station in ''Piazza Marconi''. There are also several bus services going from the city to Florence, Siena and other cities in Tuscany. A network of urban bus routes also operates in Grosseto, and the bus station serves as an interchange point between these, the intercity routes and extra-urban routes which extend into the rest of the
Province of Grosseto
The province of Grosseto ( it, links=no, provincia di Grosseto) is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Grosseto. As of 2013 the province had a total population of 225,098 people.
Geography
The Province of Gros ...
.
Since 1 November 2021 the public local transport is operated by
Autolinee Toscane.
Port
The city has a modern tourist dock opened in 2004 in the seaside resort of
Marina di Grosseto
Marina di Grosseto () is a popular tourist destination located twelve kilometers from Grosseto; it is an important seaside resort in Grossetan Maremma. Once a fishing village, it is known for its hilly hinterland, rich in macchia and wide beaches ...
, at the mouth of the San Rocco Canal. For passenger traffic in the medium range, the main port is
Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano () is a seaport town on the west coast of Italy, in the municipality of Monte Argentario, in the Province of Grosseto, Tuscany. It is the municipal seat of Monte Argentario and one of the two major towns that form the townshi ...
(40 km), with ferry only for the islands of
Giglio and
Giannutri
Giannutri () is a small island in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Tuscany, Italy; it is the southernmost island of the Tuscan Archipelago and it is a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Isola del Giglio in the Province of Grosseto.
Geography
...
.
Airport
Grosseto and the Maremma are served by
Grosseto Baccarini Airport, located midway between the capital and
Marina di Grosseto
Marina di Grosseto () is a popular tourist destination located twelve kilometers from Grosseto; it is an important seaside resort in Grossetan Maremma. Once a fishing village, it is known for its hilly hinterland, rich in macchia and wide beaches ...
. The airport is a military site which is also used as a commercial airport by civilian charter flights and private aircraft, and has a small terminal to accommodate these.
With regard to domestic and international flights, the airports of reference are the
airports of Florence,
Pisa
Pisa ( , or ) is a city and ''comune'' in Tuscany, central Italy, straddling the Arno just before it empties into the Ligurian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa. Although Pisa is known worldwide for its leaning tower, the cit ...
and
Rome-Fiumicino. All three airports are located about from the capital of the
Maremma
The Maremma (, ; from Latin , "maritime and) is a coastal area of western central Italy, bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. It includes much of south-western Tuscany and part of northern Lazio. It was formerly mostly marshland, often malarial, bu ...
. For a few months in 2018, the airport was served by a flight to
Bern
german: Berner(in)french: Bernois(e) it, bernese
, neighboring_municipalities = Bremgarten bei Bern, Frauenkappelen, Ittigen, Kirchlindach, Köniz, Mühleberg, Muri bei Bern, Neuenegg, Ostermundigen, Wohlen bei Bern, Zollikofen
, website ...
, operated by
SkyWork Airlines
SkyWork Airlines was a Swiss airline with its head office in Belp near Bern and its base at Bern Airport. It primarily operated scheduled flights to destinations across Europe, with additional charter operations throughout the summer months. The ...
, until it went into liquidation.
Notable residents
*
Andrea da Grosseto (13th century), writer and translator
*
Luciano Bianciardi
Luciano Bianciardi (; 14 December 1922 – 14 November 1971) was an Italian journalist, translator and writer of short stories and novels.
He contributed significantly to the cultural ferment in post-war Italy, working actively with various pub ...
(1922–1971), novelist
*
Blind Fool Love (2005-2012), post-hardcore band
*
Jessica Brando
Jessica Brando (born Jessica Vitelli 6 December 1994) is an Italian singer.
Biography
Born in Grosseto, Tuscany, Jessica started singing at the age of five, studying for her own fun on great singers from the past like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzg ...
(1994), singer
*
Carlo Cassola
Carlo Cassola (17 March 1917 – 29 January 1987) was an influential Italian novelist and essayist. His novel ''La Ragazza di Bube'' (1960), which received the Strega Prize, was adapted into a film of the same name by Luigi Comencini in 1963.
...
(1917–1987), novelist, lived in Grosseto from 1948 to 1971
*
Lucio Corsi
Lucio Corsi (born 15 October 1993) is an Italian singer-songwriter.
Biography
Born in Grosseto, he raised in Vetulonia and moved to Milan after his graduation at '' liceo scientifico'' in 2012.
He released his debut EP ''Vetulonia Dakar'' in 20 ...
(1993), singer-songwriter
*
Francesco Falaschi
Francesco Falaschi (born 6 August 1961) is an Italian film director and screenwriter.
He won the David di Donatello for Best Short Film for ''Quasi fratelli'' in 1999. He was nominated for a David di Donatello and a Silver Ribbon for Best New ...
(1961), film director and screenwriter
*
Francesco Falconi (1976), fantasy writer
*
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick II (German language, German: ''Friedrich''; Italian language, Italian: ''Federico''; Latin: ''Federicus''; 26 December 1194 – 13 December 1250) was King of Sicily from 1198, King of Germany from 1212, King of Italy and Holy Roman Em ...
(1194-1250), lived in Grosseto in the winters of 1243, 1244, 1245 and 1246
*
Egisto Macchi
Egisto Macchi (4 August 1928 – 8 August 1992) was an Italian composer.
Biography
Born in Grosseto, Macchi moved to Rome to study composition, piano, violin and singing with Roman Vlad (1946–51) and Hermann Scherchen (1949–54), among othe ...
(1928–1992), composer
*
Elsa Martinelli
Elsa Martinelli (born Elisa Tia; 30 January 1935 – 8 July 2017) was an Italian actress and fashion model.
Life and career
Born Elisa Tia in Grosseto, Tuscany, she moved to Rome with her family. In 1953, she was discovered by Roberto Capu ...
(1935-2017), actress
*
Francesco Mori (1975), painter
*
Oreste Piccioni
Oreste Piccioni (October 24, 1915 – April 13, 2002) was an Italian-American physicist who made important contributions to elementary particle physics during the early years of its history.
He was a graduate student of Enrico Fermi at the U ...
(1915–2002), physicist
*
Luigi Pistilli
Luigi Pistilli (19 July 192921 April 1996) was an Italian actor of stage, screen, and television.
At one time Pistilli was one of Italy's most respected actors of stage, screen, and television. In theater, he was considered one of the country's ...
(1929–1996), actor
*
Quartiere Coffee (2004), reggae band
*
Alessandra Sensini (1970), windsurfer, winner of four medals in the Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008)
International relations
Twin towns – sister cities
Grosseto is
twinned with:
*
Birkirkara, Malta
*
Cottbus
Cottbus (; Lower Sorbian: ''Chóśebuz'' ; Polish: Chociebuż) is a university city and the second-largest city in Brandenburg, Germany. Situated around southeast of Berlin, on the River Spree, Cottbus is also a major railway junction with exten ...
, Germany
*
Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria
*
Kashiwara
file:Kashiwara City Office, Osaka pref01.JPG, 270px, Kashiwara City Hall
is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 67,698 in 32007 households and a population density of . The total area of the city ...
, Japan
*
Montreuil, France
*
Narbonne
Narbonne (, also , ; oc, Narbona ; la, Narbo ; Late Latin:) is a commune in France, commune in Southern France in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region. It lies from Paris in the Aude Departments of Franc ...
, France
*
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (, lit.: "Saint Marys of the Sea"; Provençal Occitan: ''Li Santi Mario de la Mar'') is the capital of the Camargue ( Provençal Occitan ''Camarga'') in the south of France. It is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône ...
, France
See also
*
Diocese of Grosseto
The Diocese of Grosseto ( la, Dioecesis Grossetana) is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in Italy, a suffragan of the archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino, in Tuscany. Its current bishop is Giovanni Roncari, OFMCap.s>Ott ...
*
Andrea of Grosseto
Sources and references
External link
*
GrossetoCatholic Encyclopedia
The ''Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church'' (also referred to as the ''Old Catholic Encyclopedia'' and the ''Original Catholic Encyclopedia'') i ...
article
About Grosseto
{{Authority control
Coastal towns in Tuscany