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 ...
'' in the central
Italian region of
Tuscany, the capital of the
Province of Grosseto. The city lies from the
Tyrrhenian Sea, in the
Maremma, at the centre of an alluvial plain on the
Ombrone river.
It is the most populous city in Maremma, with 82,284 inhabitants. The comune of Grosseto includes the ''
frazioni'' of
Marina di Grosseto, the largest one,
Roselle,
Principina a Mare,
Principina Terra,
Montepescali,
Braccagni,
Istia d'Ombrone,
Batignano,
Alberese and
Rispescia.
History
The origins of Grosseto can be traced back to the
High Middle Ages
The High Middle Ages, or High Medieval Period, was the 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 around AD ...
. 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, 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 and
Vetulonia 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 l ...
, sent by the emperor
Lothair III to reinstate his authority over the Aldobrandeschi. In the following year the
bishopric of Roselle was transferred to Grosseto.
In 1151 the citizens swore loyalty to the
Republic of Siena, and in 1222 the Aldobrandeschi gave the Grossetani the right to have their own
podestà, 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 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.
Over the next 80 years Grosseto was again occupied, ravaged, excommunicated by
Pope Clement IV, besieged by emperor
Louis IV and by the
antipope Nicholas V 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
Alfonso the Magnanimous (139627 June 1458) was King of Aragon and King of Sicily (as Alfonso V) and the ruler of the Crown of Aragon from 1416 and King of Naples (as Alfonso I) from 1442 until his death. He was involved with struggles to the th ...
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 Ma ...
.
Sienese rule ended in 1559, when
Charles V handed over the whole duchy to
Cosimo I de Medici, first grand duke of
Tuscany. 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 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 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, around the castle which controlled the outlet of the road towards
Siena on the plain of Grosseto and some lead and silver mines. It was a feud of the
Aldobrandeschi 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, 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, 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 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. Once a fishing village, it is known for its hilly hinterland, rich in macchia and wide beaches overlooking the
Tyrrhenian Sea, with a vast pine forest that extends from
Punta Ala 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 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 and the Natural Park of
Maremma.
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'' 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 territory. The city's splendour ended in 294 BCE, when, according to
Livy, the
Roman Republic 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 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
Andrea da Grosseto was an Italian writer of the 13th century.
Biography
Born in Grosseto in the first half of 1200s; not much is known of his literary work and his life. Andrea moved to Paris, where he taught literature and the art of poetry. In ...
was born in Grosseto in the first half of 1200. He is very important in
Italian literature, 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 8 ...
. 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
The Museo archeologico e d'arte della Maremma (''Archaeological and Art Museum of Maremma'') is an archaeological and art museum
An art museum or art gallery is a building or space for the display of art, usually from the museum's own Collecti ...
*
Museo di storia naturale della Maremma
The Museo di storia naturale della Maremma (''Maremma Natural History Museum'') is a natural history museum in Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy.
It was founded in 1971 by naturalist and completely renewed in 2009.
Bibliography
*
*
*
External links
*
...
*
Museo Collezione Gianfranco Luzzetti
The Museo Collezione Gianfranco Luzzetti (''Gianfranco Luzzetti Collection Museum'') is an art museum in Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy.
The art gallery is located in a 17th-century former Clarissine convent, home to the city's cultural centre "Le Cla ...
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'' (1962) with
Vittorio Gassman; ''
La vita agra'' (1964), from the
novel of the same name by
Luciano Bianciardi, with
Ugo Tognazzi; ''
An Ideal Place To Kill
''Oasis of Fear'' ( it, Un posto ideale per uccidere, lit=An Ideal Place to Kill) is an Italian ''giallo'' film directed by Umberto Lenzi and starring Irene Papas, Ornella Muti and Ray Lovelock. It was produced by Carlo Ponti.
The film was rele ...
'' (1969) directed by
Umberto Lenzi; ''
In viaggio con papà
''Journey with Papa'' ( it, In viaggio con papà) is a 1982 Italian comedy film directed by Alberto Sordi.
Plot
Armando does not spend much time with his shy son Cristiano, so he decides to go with him a beach holiday.
This is the first occasio ...
'' (1982), with
Alberto Sordi; ''
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
Massimo Troisi (; 19 February 1953 – 4 June 1994) was an Italian actor, cabaret performer, screenwriter, and film director. He is best known for his works in the films '' I'm Starting from Three'' (1981) and '' Il Postino: The Postman'' (1994) ...
and
Roberto Benigni; ''
It's Happening Tomorrow'' (1988); ''
Viola bacia tutti
''Viola Kisses Everybody'' (''Viola bacia tutti'') is a 1998 Italian comedy film directed by Giovanni Veronesi.
Leonardo Pieraccioni makes a cameo role in the film as a tourist who asks Massimo Ceccherini information about a beach.
Plot
Three ...
'' (1997) with
Asia Argento; ''
The Talented Mr. Ripley'' with
Matt Damon 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
''I Am Emma'' ( it, Emma sono io) is a 2002 Italian comedy film directed by Francesco Falaschi.
The movie was nominated for a David di Donatello and a Silver Ribbon for Best New Director in 2003.
Cast
*Cecilia Dazzi as Emma
*Marco Giallini as Rob ...
'' (2002); Roberto Benigni's ''
Pinocchio''; ''
Manuale d'amore 3'' (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; Swiss movie ''
Summer Games'', and some
Leonardo Pieraccioni's movies. Famous Italian actress
Elsa Martinelli and actor
Luigi Pistilli were both born in Grosseto. Actress
Laura Morante 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 in
Massa Marittima, both in the
province of Grosseto.
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: it is a poor soup, and the main ingredients are
artichokes,
broccoli,
cabbage,
beans,
borage, 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
The bistecca alla fiorentina (beefsteak Florentine style) is an Italian steak made of young steer (''vitellone'') or heifer (''scottona'') that, combined with the specific preparation, makes it one of the most popular dishes of Tuscan cuisine. I ...
.
Main sights
The Medicean Walls
The walls were commissioned by
Cosimo I de Medici 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, 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'' by
Matteo di Giovanni (1470).
The
campanile (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 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; 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 style in the 17th century. Today the convent hosts the ''Museolab Città di Grosseto'' and the university.
*''
Church of San Pietro
The Basilica di San Pietro di Castello ( en, Basilica of St Peter of Castello), commonly called San Pietro di Castello, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica of the Patriarch of Venice located in the Castello ''sestiere'' of the Italian city of Ve ...
''. The oldest religious building in town, it was built along the stretch of the
Via Aurelia 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 built in 1958, it was designed by engineer
Ernesto Ganelli 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 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. 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, situated between Grosseto and
Castiglione della Pescaia, 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
Palazzo Aldobrandeschi is the seat of the provincial government of Grosseto, Italy, and it is located in Piazza Dante, the main square of the city.
History
It was built between 1900 and 1903 by architect Lorenzo Porciatti. It is a Gothic Reviv ...
''. Of medieval origins, it was almost entirely rebuilt in the early 19th century. It is now a Neo-Gothic edifice with
ogival 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
Lorenzo Porciatti (September 3, 1864 – March 17, 1928) was an Italian architect and architectural restorer, active mainly in his native Tuscany.
Biography
He was born in Cana, and died in Grosseto. He obtained a diploma from the Academy of Fin ...
.
*''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.
*''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 Revivalism (architecture), architectural revival styles which were neither Greek Revival architecture, Greek Revival nor Gothic Revival ...
palace designed by
Vittorio Mariani
Vittorio Mariani (29 September 1859 – 15 March 1946) was an Italian architect, active mainly in his native Tuscany.
Biography
Born in Siena, Mariani graduated in architecture at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, where he was a pupil of Gi ...
, 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, 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
The Museo archeologico e d'arte della Maremma (''Archaeological and Art Museum of Maremma'') is an archaeological and art museum
An art museum or art gallery is a building or space for the display of art, usually from the museum's own Collecti ...
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 id ...
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 Moder ...
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
Palazzo Tognetti is a palace in Grosseto, Italy.
It is an Art Nouveau style building on three floors located along Corso Carducci.
History
The palace was commissioned by the Tognetti brothers who owned a news agency in Grosseto. It was designed ...
'', 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 Moder ...
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
The Biblioteca Chelliana is a public library in Grosseto, Italy, founded in 1860 by . In 1865 it became a public library as Biblioteca comunale Chelliana. It currently occupies the Palazzo Mensini built in 1898.
Italian writer Luciano Bianciardi ...
.
*''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 and th ...
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.
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 Moder ...
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 in 1930, as a symbol of
Fascist architecture.
*''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
Ludovico () is an Italian masculine given name. It is sometimes spelled Lodovico. The feminine equivalent is Ludovica.
Persons with the name Ludovico Given name
* Ludovico D'Aragona (1876–1961), Italian socialist politician
* Ludovico Arios ...
.
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, 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 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 ...
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
Andrea da Grosseto was an Italian writer of the 13th century.
Biography
Born in Grosseto in the first half of 1200s; not much is known of his literary work and his life. Andrea moved to Paris, where he taught literature and the art of poetry. In ...
, 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
Emilio Gallori (1846–1924) was an Italian sculptor, principally of historical monuments and religious statuary.
Biography
He was born in Florence and trained at the Florentine Academy of Fine Arts, where sculpture was taught by Aristodemo Cost ...
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 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,
Istia d'Ombrone and
Montepescali.
*
Granducal villa of Alberese, built by the
Knights Hospitaller 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 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 wit ...
,
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 st ...
,
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 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 in 2005. Montedeipaschi Grosseto hosts his home games at
Stadio Roberto Jannella
Stadio (literally, ''Stadium'') is an Italian pop rock band formed in 1977. The members are Giovanni Pezzoli (drums), Roberto Drovandi (bass guitar), Andrea Fornili (guitar), and Gaetano Curreri (vocals and keyboard).
Formation and early reco ...
.
The
Unione Sportiva Grosseto Football Club
Unione Sportiva Grosseto 1912 is an Italian association football club, based in the city of Grosseto, Tuscany. The club was founded in 1912 as ''Unione Ginnico Sportiva Grossetana''. The team's most associated nickname is ''grifone'', after it ...
was founded in 1912. It has participated in the National Championship of Soccer in
Serie B (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
Stadio Olimpico Carlo Zecchini (formerly known as Stadio Olimpico Comunale) is a multi-use stadium in Grosseto, Italy. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of U.S. Grosseto. The stadium holds 10,200.
Durin ...
.
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.
The city is also a major center for athletics:
Stadio Carlo Zecchini
Stadio Olimpico Carlo Zecchini (formerly known as Stadio Olimpico Comunale) is a multi-use stadium in Grosseto, Italy. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of U.S. Grosseto. The stadium holds 10,200.
Durin ...
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 Regions of Italy, 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 t ...
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 and proceeds north to
Empoli 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 ...
.
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 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 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.
Since 1 November 2021 the public local transport is operated by
Autolinee Toscane
Autolinee Toscane S.p.A. (also known as AT) is a private Italian company, wholly owned by RATP Dev, active in the local public transport sector. It manages several urban and suburban bus lines in Tuscany for a total of 1.7 million kilometres trav ...
.
Port
The city has a modern tourist dock opened in 2004 in the seaside resort of
Marina di Grosseto, at the mouth of the San Rocco Canal. For passenger traffic in the medium range, the main port is
Porto Santo Stefano (40 km), with ferry only for the islands of
Giglio and
Giannutri.
Airport
Grosseto and the Maremma are served by
Grosseto Baccarini Airport, located midway between the capital and
Marina di Grosseto. 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. For a few months in 2018, the airport was served by a flight to
Bern, operated by
SkyWork Airlines, until it went into liquidation.
Notable residents
*
Andrea da Grosseto
Andrea da Grosseto was an Italian writer of the 13th century.
Biography
Born in Grosseto in the first half of 1200s; not much is known of his literary work and his life. Andrea moved to Paris, where he taught literature and the art of poetry. In ...
(13th century), writer and translator
*
Luciano Bianciardi (1922–1971), novelist
*
Blind Fool Love
Blind Fool Love were an Italian post-hardcore band, founded in Grosseto, Tuscany in 2005. In 2007 the band released their first demo, followed by the EP ''Il pianto'' in May 2011. The first studio album is called ''La strage di Cupido'' and was ...
(2005-2012), post-hardcore band
*
Jessica Brando (1994), singer
*
Carlo Cassola (1917–1987), novelist, lived in Grosseto from 1948 to 1971
*
Lucio Corsi (1993), singer-songwriter
*
Francesco Falaschi (1961), film director and screenwriter
*
Francesco Falconi
Francesco Falconi (born 26 June 1976 in Grosseto) is an Italian fantasy writer.
Literary career
He wrote his first book in 2006 with the series of fantasy novels for children ''Estasia'', published by Armando Curcio Editore. ''Estasia Danny Mart ...
(1976), fantasy writer
*
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor (1194-1250), lived in Grosseto in the winters of 1243, 1244, 1245 and 1246
*
Egisto Macchi (1928–1992), composer
*
Elsa Martinelli (1935-2017), actress
*
Francesco Mori (1975), painter
*
Oreste Piccioni (1915–2002), physicist
*
Luigi Pistilli (1929–1996), actor
*
Quartiere Coffee
Quartiere Coffee is an Italian reggae band from Grosseto, formed in 2004.
History
They debuted in 2008 with the studio album ''In-A'', produced by Ciro "Prince Vibe" Pisanelli, and performed at Rototom Sunsplash on 12 July 2008.
In 2010 they re ...
(2004), reggae band
*
Alessandra Sensini
Alessandra Sensini (born 26 January 1970 in Grosseto) is an Italian windsurfing, windsurfer. She is a 4-time Olympian, winning a gold medal and three additional medals. She also won 3 gold, 2 silver medals and 1 bronze at World Championships, a ...
(1970), windsurfer, winner of four medals in the Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008)
International relations
Twin towns – sister cities
Grosseto is
twinned
Twinning (making a twin of) may refer to:
* In biology and agriculture, producing two offspring (i.e., twins) at a time, or having a tendency to do so;
* Twin towns and sister cities, towns and cities involved in town twinning
* Twinning inst ...
with:
*
Birkirkara, Malta
*
Cottbus, Germany
*
Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria
*
Kashiwara, Japan
*
Montreuil, France
*
Narbonne, France
*
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, France
See also
*
Diocese of Grosseto
*
Andrea of Grosseto
Andrea da Grosseto was an Italians, Italian writer of the 13th century.
Biography
Born in Grosseto in the first half of 1200s; not much is known of his literary work and his life. Andrea moved to Paris, where he taught literature and the art of ...
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