Massa Marittima is a small town in Southern Tuscany located 50 kilometres from Grosseto. It is a bit of a hidden gem, not well-known to tourists and, therefore, authentic and particularly beautiful. The town offers stunning panoramic views across the surrounding landscape due to its hilltop location, its historic centre has Etruscan origins and many striking buildings from the 13th century, its golden age for architecture, remain in tact. Massa Marittima is also often known as the 'City of Museums' because of its unique artistic and historical heritage, as seen in the variety of outstanding historic buildings and the numerous museums dotted around the town. If you're looking for a corner of Tuscany to holiday in where you can avoid the large tourist crowds of others centres such as Pisa, Siena or Florence, while not compromising on art, architecture, history or culture, just find a holiday rental in Massa Marittima.
The atmosphere and appearance of the town is different to the others in the surrounding Maremma area of Tuscany and is more similar to the towns in Northern Tuscany. All of the most beautiful buildings were built during the golden age of Massa Marittima, in the 13th century, when all the surrounding cities came under the rule of Pisa, Siena and Florence while it managed to maintain its independence. To get around and see things in the town is very easy. All of the main buildings in the centre stand in one single piazza which houses the Cathedral, the Palazzo Pretorio, the town hall, the marketplace. The mint and the public fountain, important places with historic and key civic roles in the city, are also nearby.
The Cathedral of Saint Cerbonius is a 13th-century church largely in a Romanesque Pisan style but with the large arch forming a later Sienese addition. Built on a Latin cross plan and situated on the main Piazza Garibaldi, it has a beautiful marble façade which immediately makes it stand out from the surrounding structures. It was begun around 1225 but work continued into the 20th century with the tower next to the church being rebuilt in the 1900s. Dedicated to Saint Cerbonius, the central portal features lion sculptures and five other panels tell the stories of the saint. Inside is the famous painting of The Madonna and Child which has been attributed to Duccio di Buoninsegna.
Also in the Piazza Garibaldi is the Praetorian Palace which is the seat of the principal museums. This museum complex is one of the richest in the whole of Italy and includes a total of ten museums. One of the most famous is the Archaeological Museum with sections dedicated to Villanova, Asian, classical, Hellenistic and Roman history. In Piazza Matteotti, in the upper part of the town, there are some more important historic buildings including the 15th century Palazzo delle Armi and the 13th century church of Saint Augustine which features a painting of The Flight into Egypt by Lorenzo Lippi.
With so much culture in such a concentrated space, Massa Marittima is a must for those visiting Tuscany.
Also in the Piazza Garibaldi is the Praetorian Palace which is the seat of the principal museums. This museum complex is one of the richest in the whole of Italy and includes a total of ten museums. One of the most famous is the Archaeological Museum with sections dedicated to Villanova, Asian, classical, Hellenistic and Roman history. In Piazza Matteotti, in the upper part of the town, there are some more important historic buildings including the 15th century Palazzo delle Armi and the 13th century church of Saint Augustine which features a painting of The Flight into Egypt by Lorenzo Lippi.
With so much culture in such a concentrated space, Massa Marittima is a must for those visiting Tuscany.
Photo credits
Picture 1: Markus Bernet / CC BY-SA 2.5;
Picture 2: Geobia / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 3: g.sighele / CC BY 2.0
Picture 1: Markus Bernet / CC BY-SA 2.5;
Picture 2: Geobia / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 3: g.sighele / CC BY 2.0
