The province of Grosseto

Grosseto is located in the very south of Tuscany. It is one of the largest provinces in the region. Although the territory is huge, it is the most sparsely populated area in Italy. The density of population is only 25 people per square kilometer.

The landscape of Grosseto represents all the variety of the Mediterranean. The coast is a range of beaches, lagoons and bays, hills and cliffs, resorts and fishing villages. Punta Ala, Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia are among famousresorts. Although only a part of the province is claimed to protect wildlife, local people and tourists treat all the surrounding beauty with respect. As a result, ecologists have awarded the beaches of Follonica and Castiglione della Pescaia with the Blue Flags.

Mountain areas in the west are mostly covered with chestnut and Italian pine forests. Monte Amiata is remarkable for its height and volcanic origin. It is the highest point of Tuscany reaching 1738 meters above the sea level. Ski mountaineering has been rapidly developing here recently. Ancient towns are located on the slopes of the mountain cautiously keeping the historical sites. Monte Amiata is also the place of mineral water springs.

You can taste healing waters in other areas of Grosseto as well. Bagni di Roselle is the spring to the north-east, located close to the ruins of an Etruscan city. The water is saturated with common (sodium chloride) and Glauber's (sodium sulphate) salt. That is why it has a bitter taste. The spring of Saturnia is of great help to people suffering from rheumatism, skin and respiratory diseases.

Grosseto attracts lovers of ancient times. The Etruscans used to livehere long ago,  then they lost their ethnic uniqueness and assimilated with Roman invaders. The province has kept many archaeological monuments which reflect the change of cultures and epochs. Here you can visit the Etruscan grave-mounds, the ruins of Roman buildings, Roman and Gothic castles, numerous cathedrals and churches. The memory of the past has been also kept in the local museums. The Archaeological Museum of Maremma has one of the richest collections in Tuscany.