| The Maremma is a vast area covering part of | | | | monumental sculptural inspired at the Tarots which |
| southern Tuscany, notably the province of Grosseto, | | | | took the artist Niki de Saint Phalle 20 years of work. If |
| and a small part of northern Latium (Lazio). This was | | | | you are lucky enough and you happen to visit Capalbio |
| once the homeland of the Etruscans, the mysterious | | | | during the second week of september, you will have |
| civilization which dominated central Italy before the | | | | the chance to see many Italian celebrities hanging |
| emergence of the Roman Empire and whose legacy | | | | around and you can also attend the traditional wild |
| can be explored throughout the area. | | | | boar festival. During other periods of the year, you can |
| The Maremma can be divided into the Alta Maremma | | | | always pay a visit to the Pieve di San Nicola, the |
| (upper or northern Maremma), and Bassa Maremma | | | | Collachini Palace or the Vulci National Museum in |
| (lower or southern Maremma).The Alta Maremma | | | | neraby Canino. |
| exteds from Grosseto northwards to Cecina River | | | | Leaving the coast, the road travels deep into the hills |
| just south of Livorno while the lower Maremma | | | | of the Marrema with the towns of Pitigliano, Sorano |
| extends along the Albegna and Ombrone rivers down | | | | and Sovana forming a triangle enclosing the protected |
| the coast to the Argentario and beyond, The latter is | | | | area known as "City of Tufa" (from the volcanic rock |
| the least populated area of mainland Italy and, despite | | | | used for centuries as building material). You will almost |
| being a great destination for the historian, nature-lover | | | | certainly fall in love with Pitigliano as soon as you will |
| and sun-worshipper alike, it is still remarkably off the | | | | have the chance to lay your eyes on it. Build on a |
| beaten track. | | | | stone spur in a wild landscape, Pitigliano blends |
| The charm of the Maremma is enriched by its | | | | perfectly into the rock. From its position high above the |
| livestock-raising traditions. The 'butteri', skilful cowboys, | | | | lush valleys and twin rivers, Pitigliano affords stunning |
| were talented enough to beat Buffalo Bill in 1911 when | | | | views, ones which have been enjoyed for many |
| he challenged them to a contest at breaking colts. The | | | | centuries as the local Roman and Etruscan ruins are |
| Maremman cattle-rearers still remain proud of this | | | | testament to. The undeniable influence of the Jewish |
| victory and hand down their skills from father to son. | | | | community, which dates back to the 15th century, is still |
| Leaving behind the small village of Talamone, the Via | | | | very evident in the local cuisine. |
| Aurelia Etrusca leads to the mouth of the Albegna | | | | Northwest of Pitigliano you will find Sovana, another |
| river and to the Tombolo di Giannella, a sandspit which | | | | important Etruscan town dating back to the 7th |
| joins Monte Argentario, once an island, to the mainland. | | | | century BC or even earlier. The ancient capital of this |
| The sea currents have built a second sandspit, or | | | | part of the Maremma and once a rival to Siena, |
| "tombolo" between the "island" and the mainland thus | | | | Sovana is now a little village with ancient ruins and |
| forming a large lagoon, which is known as the Laguna | | | | Romanesque architecture. North of the town is the |
| di Ortobello,. The scenery of the Monte Argentario, | | | | Etruscan Necropolis containing over 100 tombs, many |
| which reaches 635 metres at its highest point is | | | | of which can be explored, beginning with the most |
| dramatic, with headlands, bays and shingle beaches. | | | | spectacular of them all, the famous Tomba del Sileno. |
| The town of Orbetello is set right in the middle of the | | | | Just a few miles down the road from Sovana, |
| lagoon by the same name and is linked to Monte | | | | Saturnia is another stunning place to visit. This little |
| Argentario through a road built over an artificial bank | | | | village is filled with traces from eras dating back to the |
| that dividing the lagoon into two stretches of water | | | | Romans, as well as a handful of absolutely |
| (respectively called the Eastern Lagoon and Western | | | | mouth-watering restaurants. If you would like to indulge |
| Lagoon). Orbetello is a lively and busy town whose | | | | in a little pampering, the local spa complex which grew |
| principal resource has always been fishing. Local | | | | up around the sulphur springs, waterfalls and streams |
| seafood is regarded as the best in the whole district | | | | is a magnificent place to visit. The Etruscans who built |
| so if you happen to be there around lunch time, take | | | | the town are thought to have used these bubbling |
| your chance to visit one of the many restaurants | | | | turquoise waters in their religious ceremonies. |
| serving the local seafood specialties. | | | | This article is part of a series meant to describe some |
| Before heading inland to explore the main Etruscans | | | | travel itineraries in the lesser known areas of Tuscany. |
| centres, it is worth visiting the hill-village of Capalbio, | | | | You can find similar articles covering the Casentino |
| with its perfectly intact medieval centre. Capalbio is | | | | Valley, Lunigiana and the smaller islands of the Tuscan |
| also know for a rather unusual attractions known as | | | | Archipelago. |
| the Tarot Gardenan, an artistic park composed by | | | | |