Civitella-Paganico: History, Hillside Views and Local Festivals

Civitella Marittima is situated on a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape and Monte Amiata. This landscape experience is complemented by a clearly recognizable local history, sacred art and a local festival tradition. This makes it possible to combine your stay with culture, history and a Tuscan cycling route. The town’s history emerges through specific buildings and a local tradition.

Church, Walls and Traces of Local History

The Church of Santa Maria in Montibus is the town’s most important sacred building and was first documented in 1143. Inside is a 16th-century panel depicting Saints Ansano, Fabiano and Sebastiano. The panel therefore belongs to a later historical period than the documentary mention from 1143. For a cultural tour, the church thus offers both a historical reference and a specific work of art. The fortifications are also part of the townscape. The walls of Civitella Marittima were built at the instigation of the Ardengheski at the beginning of the 12th century. Along these walls is Porta Piccina, a partially preserved original gateway. The ancient staircase known as the “Scale Sante” is in turn associated with a local tradition: According to legend, the patron saints Fabiano and Sebastiano appeared there during a devastating plague epidemic. The Palazzo Pecci, dating from the 16th century, provides further historical highlights. The church, walls and palazzo represent different historical layers of today’s townscape. The present-day settlement of Civitella Marittima originated around the year 1000; before that, the area was occupied by an Etruscan settlement. This historical depth therefore extends from the Etruscan prehistory through the emergence of the present-day settlement to the buildings of later centuries.

Cycling Route with a Notable Final Climb

There is also a specific option for an active day out. The cycling route “Civitella Paganico and the Strada Leopoldina” reaches Civitella Marittima via a final climb with an average gradient of 7 percent. Anyone including this route in their travel plans will therefore know an important feature of the described section: Access to the town does not end on level ground, but with a significant climb.

Festa del Buco Unto in November

Another side of the town is revealed by the Festa del Buco Unto. It takes place every year on the second weekend of November and celebrates the local products Vino Novello and Olio nuovo. Vino Novello and Olio nuovo give the November festival a clear connection to wine and oil from the region. At the same time, the event remains closely associated with regional produce rather than being described merely as a general village festival. For further orientation, you can also discover Monte Antico, Pari, Paganico and Casale Di Pari.

For the main travel overview: Grosseto.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Montevitozzo, Borgo Carige, Follonica, Pitigliano.