THE SURROUNDINGS
After a night in our Hotel and a large and tasty breakfast in the hotel, you can go and discover unforgettable fascinating places and discover that this area is the reign of gastronomy, with its grapes maintains exquisite and famous Doc wines like Brunello of Montalcino. Maremma Tuscany, is an ideal place for holidays within natural surroundings. The staff at SANLORENZO want to transmit how many extraordinary places there are to visit, the desire to come and discover the magic of these areas where the colourful Mediterranean is present with its wild and strong nature, rich of contrasts: the limpid sea and brown marshes, shaded marks and the absolute plains; The forest impenetrable by the sun and its glorious birthing of water terminals brewing with hot water vapour. The ordered placidity advanced solemnly by the herd guided by our own horse riding men; Our Cowboys: a mark of the numerous conquests taken and a sense of mystery, of sacredness, of respect for who brought this land, born, with direbbe D’Annunzio, from the fever of the sun.
GROSSETO
A strengthened city along the road of Rome and Pisa, in 1138 it became a Episcopal residence bringing importance to Maremma. Later passing to Aldo Brandeschi, after was occupied by Siena and in 1559 passed hands to the Medici. Following various reclamations for at least two centuries, a surrounding wall was present in Grosseto until the end of the twelve century, many times destructed and reconstructed. In 1559 Francesco of the Medici family began working on the hexagonal wall, still conserved, projected by Baldassarre Lenci, work proceeded for 19 years and condemned criminals picked from the prison with appropriate decree. The wall follows a hexagonal perimeter with defensive bastion pentagonal angles in the form of arrows, with guard points at the top, while the old citadel of 'Cassero Senese' was protected by a second bastion with the same form, with pavements of bricks with forms of the fishes spine. The cathedral of San Lorenzo.
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The cathedral titled with the name of the patron saint of the city, San Lorenzo, surged as the oldest preposition church of Saint Maria, becoming temporarily a cathedral in 1138, at the time when the diocese Roselle transferred to Grosseto under the command of Bishop Rolando. The new construction, in gothic style began in 1294 work of the architect and sculptor 'Sozzo Rustichini', from Siena, but the work endured many interruptions, caused by the economical difficulties brought from the war against Siena. The church endured many extensive reshapings, following the ruins of the part of the spiral, already modified in the XV century, and was newly restructured and reshaped several times, to give what was considered to be a gothic unitary.
CALA VIOLINA
The Cala is the most famous of the golf: reached only by foot, by bicycle or by horse, and is accessible by three different paths. Parting from Follonica, the first path, the quickest to arrive to Cala Violina, reached by following road signs indicating the direction of Casiglione della Pescaia. Go past the ‘Puntone of Scarlino’ where they are constructing a tourist portico, after a curve to the left, begins a long rectilinear, a sign post on the right indicates the locality. Continue for about 1km on a tight road where you will find a large parking area (paid parking in the summer season) facing a farmhouse; from here you continue by foot for about 1km. The second path parts from ‘Puntone of Scarlino’. In this case you need to leave the car near the tourist portico, continuing for about 60 minutes by foot along a mule track also possible by bicycle or by horse.
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This path passes by a forest running alongside from above the sea bank, from here you can admirer all the beauty of the golf. Before arriving at ‘Cala Violina’ you follow another path, just as
beautiful but not as famous: Cala Martina. In this locality, in the woods, you find a monument of the memories of the passages of Guiseppe Garibaldi who, superior in Sicily, here he formed an army and ammunition. The third path begins at Punta Ala camping site, but it is only reached following a tight and stony path, also following alongside the sea, and for those who desire a interesting walk will not be left disillusioned. Maybe not everyone knows that ‘Cala Violino’ is an onomatopoeic name. The ‘caletta’ takes its name from its sand characteristics, which, in the spring time, when the fusion of tourists still hasn’t excessively begun, at Calpestio transmits the sensation of ‘the sound of a violin’.
PUNTA ALA
Punta Ala is one of the most noted tourist areas after the war: placed with discretion within its great pinewoods offering its visitors the cleanness of its avenues, its lawns and its cured flower beds, the elegance of its gardens are always well looked after. Importantly equipped for tourists with a harbour (900 exclusive boat posts), offering the possibility to navigate boats, motor crafts, yachts, with and without a marine. Notable the golf camp, one of the biggest in Europe, holding important international competitions.
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CASTIGLIONE DELLA PESCAIA
Castiglione della Pescaia is an antique village facing the sea between Punta Ala and Marina of Grosseto. The antique part is a balcony on the land. Holding a harbour which offers daily excursions to the island of Tuscan Arcipelago. Castiglione della Pescaia has a very antique origin: the first traces of population in this zone return about seventy thousand years ago, where the first urban habitations are found in ‘Vetulonia’, the antique city of the Etruscans founded on the banks of lake Prile (today lost). The Romans founded,
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the village of ‘Salebrone’, famous for its mild climate, its lake full of fish and its outskirts full of game animals. After the fall of the Roman empire, and the invasion of the ‘Barberi’, in 962 Castiglione falls to Pisa by Ottone 1° of Sassonia, emperor of Germany. Pisa in these fruitful times of richness did not cure the placement of the port or the water of the river Prile, which become stagnant, causing the growing malarial epidemic.
Parco della Maremma
This natural regional park of Maremma was stated institute in 1975 but, not only its large dimensions (around 10,000 acres), and its young years of creation, in a short period of time it has become a place of reference for a still growing major number of people. In 1993 the park of Maremma was stated with the diploma of European parks given by the European council. The sights at the park are an assured informative pleasurable experience, but is better to know that stopping to see just one sight of the park, could in some cases, be a disillusion for the spectator, often its huge aspect in confront with the real time available does not give much disposition: we must remember that it is not a zoo, the animals are free and not there for our disposition.
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A visit in the park is only possible by foot, the roads accessible are two: Alberese and Talamone. Park of Maremma. For excursions leaving from Alberese, in which is accompanied by a description, is accessible normally on Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays, though, for all information regarding times and the model of visiting we recommend that you make contact with the visiting centre of the park.
Isola d'Elba
The island of Elba is situated in the middle of the marine of Tuscan Arcipelago and can be reached only with a one hour of ferry from Piombino. It has a 200 squared km superficial 147km growing coast, with a continual stretch of beach and rocks sweet slopes and peaked walls: it has a golden graphic movement with its apex of Monte Capanne that pass a thousand meters. Elba offers a territory rich of panoramas and hidden angles to explore (either marine or mountain). Other than these the island is also well prepared for tourists ( in Elba there are: 200 hotels, 50 residences,30 camp sites and 30 farm holiday agencies).
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Diaccia Botrona
To accede to the natural reserve follow the indications for the island of Clodia and for the red house (la casa rossa). The ambient is very suggestive and rich of flower beds. Inside the park (free entrance) it is possible to admire: white herons, red herons, ducks, the falcons of padule and the knight of Italy.
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San Galgano
Its complex is composed of Eremo or the circle of Montesiepi and the ruin of the great Abbazia of Cirestense of San Galgano is one of the most noted found in Tuscany. Within the circle of Montesiepi is found, infixed in the stone, the sword of San Galgano. Identified between 1182 and 1185, above the bell on the hills, San Galgano passed his last years of life, right there where the sword was drawn into the stone, the circle of Montesiepi was originally the tomb of Santo, which was seppellired north of the sword how seen, towards the entering door Chisudino. Only in 1220 (or 1218?) began the construction of the the great Abbazia of Valle. Construction work continued until 1268, when it was officially announced the Vescovo of Volterra Alberto Solari.
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Then there were 100 years of great splendour until 1364 which followed a slow downfall dated by the practical misfortune of the officials of the country. A fact above all others: in 1550 the official Girolamo Vitelli arrived to sell (after the jewels he asks what else) the roof in Piombo. Not only after some temptations to restore the convent at the end of 1789, after the circle of Montesiepi was removed by the Pieve, the great abbazia was left consecrated indefinitely till his ruin. While the circle of Montesiepi reports, the sword in the stone to the saga of king Artu, the great Abbazia is saved by his sacred geometry other surprises being ‘musical’ and ‘ancient’. Maybe the good monks Circestensi of San Roberto of Molesmo and San Brenardo of Chiaravalle knew more than they left written.
Vetulonia
Ventulonia is an antique Etruscan city said by the Romans to holds the historical symbol of Victoria fasces and axes. Ventulonia touched the maximum if its splendour between the VII and VI century a.c. and still conserves many memories of its antique potential. After the splendour of the time of the Etruscans Ventulonia fell into decade in 1181 following the Castle of Colonna, born from the necessity to fortify the defence of the population. Of the imposing wall of the Etruscan still remains some traces, and in the nearest village to this village you can find notifications Etruscan. From the tombs, that can be visited, are noted as the tombs of Diavolina and Petrera, found taking the road to Burino. In the village you can visit the archaeological museum, with imminent opening, with notable priceless exhibits, just as soon as they have been restored. The panorama is splendid that can be admired for its sweet descending hills.
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Tirli
Tirli is immersed between Lecci and Castagni, enjoying an exceptional climate rising 450m. above the level of the sea and its position offers a north facing sea breeze. The first settlements were made by the presence of farmers and shepherds, and the old tradition of cutting woods is still used by the habitants today. Suggested for its alleys, the village is dominated by a Monastery fortress, constructed in the turn of the 1500 by brother Agostini; giving the possibility to hide from the population and the attack of roaming pirates.
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Buriano
The village is dominated by a castle, with an antique origin, maybe roman, second to long lived sources. Know the maximum of its splendour of the first centuries of this millennium. The roman church has still the ringing church bell incorporated and conserved from the time of San Gugliemo, found hidden in the ‘Romitorio’. Every second Sunday after Easter a celebration for San Gugliemo takes place with a large possession leaving from Buriano and traverses the road to Rimitorio. On this occasion from the farm ‘the Badiola’ is carried ‘the Pianeta’, taken covered in gold and donated to the grand Duchess of Tuscany Maria Antonietta in memory of her fall from the horse.
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Pitigliano
Pitiglano, principal centre of the hills of Maremma, its remote origins trace back to the bronze age. The presence of the Etruscans is testified by the antique remains and above all the ‘Vie Cave’, paths dug in the tufo, volcanic rocks, geological elements dominate this territory. Pitiglano in various epics passed the feud with Aldo Brandeschi a cont of the Orsini until the XVII century, when he entered to become part of the grand duchy of Tuscany, The Medici and after Lorena. Pitiglano is found with a territory and ambient rich of interesting naturalistic sites and historical archaeology, representing the base for unforgettable excursions.
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SIENA
Siena is found on three hills risen by Arbia and Elsa. It is the centre of agricultural farming, and rich of art and monuments and is holder of the famous Palio. All year round it is adapted for visits of the province: in the summer for its fresh mountain breeze, in the winter for bicycle racing sports, and in the spring and autumn for its splendid nature. Founded by the Etruscans, Siena became a roman colonel in the time of Augusto.
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Becoming Episcopal residence in ‘700 after lengthily occupations by the longobardo, but in the XI century it is affirmed as the commune of laico. Harsh fights devided Siena and Florence, mainly in the last periods of the1260, beaten in Montaperti. After it was governed by various men, the city fell under the imperial dominators and enter as the state of Mediceo, after by Lorenese until 1859, the date in which it became annexed as reign of Italy.
firenze
A great part of fortune with the tourists in Italy is because of the heritage artistic culture enclosed within the walls of the city of Florence. One of the methods best loved by the thousands of modern ‘Pilgrims’ every day of the year, follow not only on the main street but also along the alleys and side streets less known in search of this or that opera of art. Desiring to see the ‘David’ by Michelangelo, the Dome, the paintings by Botticelli, the museum of Uffizi, a list, very long, to follow…
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Florence city of art of excellence, that have maintained with tact a liveable dimension, today like in the past demonstrate polite and good humour in the colourful markets and in the small squares, or in one of the small restaurants, sharing your table with the frequent Florence habitants, young and old. Florence, city loved, widely heard of, with all to discover .
Massa Marittima
Massa Marittima is an antique neighbour, placed on a hill at 380m s.l.m., with about 15km of the sole golf. Noted for its fields of coalmines and silver used until 1300, were then reactivated in 1830 until 1970, still conserving its medieval aspect. The trainers of flying falcons compete between trainers from various districts of the city, it also has a recalled history.
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