Grosseto is the official capital of the same name province in Tuscany and an unofficial capital of the Maremma region. The population of this city is about seventy thousand.
The history of Grosetto is closely connected with the name of Medici, who were the most powerful family of the Italian Renaissance. This name is not only well-known in Tuscany, but also it has a great importance for the world culture and politics in general. Monumental walls, which were built around the old center by their order, have remained intact in memory of them.
Grosseto's image has kept features of the distant Middle Ages. The Cathedral of San Lorenzo is located on central Dante Square (Piazza Dante). It was built on the place of a demolished Roman fortress in 1294. The cathedral is an excellent example of Italian Gothic. You can't help admiring its facade, coated with alternating stripes of pink and white marble. The old building was restored in 1855.
Not far from the Cathedral you can find the Provincial Government Palace, which was built in 1900.
There is one more attraction to visit in Grosetto. It is a Franciscan church of the XIII century. Here it's worth drawing your attention to the crucifix as well as to the remains of the ancient XIV century frescoes.
The monument to Leopold II is located on the central square. It was built as the acknowledgement of his implementation of the Maremma bog drainage program. Land amelioration had a great impact on industrial development as drainage not only allowed to open up new lands, but also rescued local residents from the constant threat of malaria. Leopold is portrayed trampling on a snake as a symbol of the conquered disease.
While in Grosseto, you should definitely visit the Archaeological and Art Museum of Maremma (Museo Archeologico e d'Arte della Maremma), which is located on Beccarini Square (Piazza Beccarini). It possesses the most significant collection of the Etruscan artifacts in the province.
