The lovely town of Grosseto, located in the heart of the Maremma area of southern Tuscany, is a lesser known beauty that is filled with architectural gems and more attractions and things to see than one might imagine.
If you're looking for a charming destination off the beaten track that will appease all of your artistic and cultural yearnings, while keeping you far from the regular tourist crowds of Tuscany, just browse our incredible vacation rentals in Grosseto.
Situated around 14km from the coast on a flat plain, the town is a collection of beautiful and fascinating religious, civil and military buildings, all surrounded by a hexagonal wall that wraps around the historic centre of Grosseto. Architecture-lovers take note because there is a lot to see in this lovely town and here are some of our highlights.
If you're looking for a charming destination off the beaten track that will appease all of your artistic and cultural yearnings, while keeping you far from the regular tourist crowds of Tuscany, just browse our incredible vacation rentals in Grosseto.
Situated around 14km from the coast on a flat plain, the town is a collection of beautiful and fascinating religious, civil and military buildings, all surrounded by a hexagonal wall that wraps around the historic centre of Grosseto. Architecture-lovers take note because there is a lot to see in this lovely town and here are some of our highlights.
1. The City Walls.
Those distinctive walls (like many structures in Tuscany) are a Medici project and were originally commissioned by Francesco I de Medici in 1574 to replace earlier walls from the 12th-14th centuries to reinforce Grosseto as a stronghold and protect the southern border.
Designed by Baldassarre Lanci and built over 19 years, they completed under Grand Duke Ferdinando I and were surrounded by a ditch with an earthen moat until the 18th century. Today, the walls are used as a public park and walking area.
2. The Duomo.
Another key structure in the town is the Romanesque Duomo, or Cathedral.
Those distinctive walls (like many structures in Tuscany) are a Medici project and were originally commissioned by Francesco I de Medici in 1574 to replace earlier walls from the 12th-14th centuries to reinforce Grosseto as a stronghold and protect the southern border.
Designed by Baldassarre Lanci and built over 19 years, they completed under Grand Duke Ferdinando I and were surrounded by a ditch with an earthen moat until the 18th century. Today, the walls are used as a public park and walking area.
2. The Duomo.
Another key structure in the town is the Romanesque Duomo, or Cathedral.
With a distinctive facade expressed in black and white marble, it was begun begun at the end of the 13th century under architect Sozzo Rustichini of Siena and only finished in the 15th century, though that facade is almost entirely the result of 16th and 19th century restorations.
Built on a latin cross plan and filled with magnificent sculpture and artworks, it is a true beauty and something rather special indeed.
There are, in fact, many more extraordinary buildings in the town so be sure to read on to our next post in this series and discover more of Grosseto's architectural gems.
Don't forget that we are the best website for Tuscan villas to rent on the market so, if you're planning a holiday to Tuscany, be sure to check out Tuscany-villas.it!
Built on a latin cross plan and filled with magnificent sculpture and artworks, it is a true beauty and something rather special indeed.
There are, in fact, many more extraordinary buildings in the town so be sure to read on to our next post in this series and discover more of Grosseto's architectural gems.
Don't forget that we are the best website for Tuscan villas to rent on the market so, if you're planning a holiday to Tuscany, be sure to check out Tuscany-villas.it!
Photo credits
picture 1: trolvag / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Geobia / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: trolvag / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Geobia / CC BY-SA 3.0
