Grosseto

Grosseto, capital of the homonymous province, is situated in Tuscany, in the most southern part of the region, in the Maremma plain, on the right bank of Ombrone river. The local economy is mainly based on tourism, agriculture and on the production of wine and oil, on industrial and commercial activities. The origins of the area trace back to the ancient Etruscan settlements, but starting from the 10th century, after the destruction of the nearby town of Roselle, Grosseto enjoyed a period of prosperity and splendour. In 1222 it became a free commune and it was annexed to the Siena territories and later became part of the Medicean state. Thanks to the Medici family, a process or redevelopment began, interrupted several times due to many difficulties, and it was completed only in the last century. Grosseto offers its visitors many cultural attractions and monuments such as the Cattedrale, designed at the end of the 13th century by Sozzo di Rustichino and the magnificent Medicean Walls, with an hexagonal shape, surrounding the city centre. Not to be missed are also the important Archaelogical Museum of Maremma, and the typical churches of San Pietro and San Francesco. Among the main cultural events in the area, there is a festival called "Maggio", to celebrate the old rites of fertility. The lovers of sea and sun can lie on the marvellous wild beaches of Principina a Mare, located at the entrance of the National Park of Maremma, or visit the superb coast of Marina di Grosseto which is the most renowned seaside resort of the region.