Capalbio: Defensive History, Art and Coastal Scenery

Capalbio brings together historical landmarks, art and nature: its ring of walls, medieval buildings and frescoes sit alongside large-scale tarot sculptures, coastline and a protected wetland. This gives you different ways to get to know the town and plan your trip around the themes that interest you most.

Defensive history along the ring of walls

The Camminamento di Ronda runs along the entire ring of walls of Capalbio. From there, you can enjoy views of the surrounding countryside and the sea. The route and its views connect the town’s architectural history with its natural setting.

Castello di Capalbio dates back to the 12th century. One specific historical date is 1161, when the castle was mentioned in a privilege issued by Pope Alexander III. Porta Senese is the main entrance to the historic defensive ring. A plaque on it bears the date 1418, while the Medici coat of arms is dated 1601. Torre Aldobrandesca is part of the Rocca Aldobrandesca complex.

These buildings represent different aspects of the town’s history: Castello is associated with a mention in the 12th century, Porta Senese with the entrance to the defensive ring and two dated details. Torre Aldobrandesca adds another perspective through its place in the Rocca complex. If you are interested in historic architecture, these names and dates offer specific points of reference for distinguishing between the different landmarks.

Frescoes and art from the Middle Ages to the present

The Oratorio della Provvidenza brings together several historical periods. The present-day oratory was built around an earlier Marian chapel at the end of the 18th century. It houses early 16th-century frescoes attributed to Pinturicchio or a close follower. The building’s history and the art-historical attribution belong to different periods.

The Pieve di San Nicola can also be understood in terms of both its age and its decoration: it was built between 1100 and 1200 and houses frescoes from the Sienese and Umbrian-Lazio schools. Capalbio’s art scene thus brings together different regional associations. If you are interested in frescoes, you can distinguish between these different artistic connections when planning your trip.

The Giardino dei Tarocchi is defined by a different scale. Its monumental sculptures are about 12 to 15 metres high and represent the 22 major arcana of the tarot cards. Mirror mosaics, fine glass and ceramic tiles are among the materials used. The combination of larger-than-life forms and varied surfaces makes this art attraction quite different from the frescoes in the historic religious buildings.

Coast and natural landscape

Capalbio’s coastline stretches for about 12 kilometres. A coastal dune covered in Mediterranean scrub borders and stabilises the beach. These details describe the coast not only in terms of its length, but also through the landscape feature that shapes the beach.

The Riserva Naturale del Lago di Burano is a distinct natural area: the protected reserve covers about 410 hectares and includes a 140-hectare brackish lake. More than 300 bird species live in the reserve. For nature lovers, the area of the reserve, the lake and the diversity of species offer different ways to appreciate the importance of the wetland.

A seasonal cultural event

Capalbio Cinema is an annual short-film festival held in the first half of July. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the dates for the relevant year. This lets you plan around the event period while still exploring the town’s other cultural and natural attractions.

Whether you are mainly interested in medieval buildings, frescoes, modern art or coastal and birdlife, Capalbio offers several distinct themes to explore. When planning your trip to Tuscany, you can decide which aspects of the town you would like to discover in more depth.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Chiarone Scalo, Pescia Fiorentina, Orbetello, Gavorrano, Seggiano, Grotte Cavalieri, Suvereto.

Back to the main travel overview: Grosseto.