Massa Marittima, Italy

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Visit Massa Marittima

Massa Marittima, the 'City of Museums', is a very attractive town situated on a hill in Tuscany. Massa Marittima is a town of great tourist interest due to its unique artistic and historical heritage, preserved in numerous museums and, of course, given the geographical position, beautiful and magnificent landscape of the Maremma Tuscany. It has received the Italian Orange Flag award for sustainable tourism.

A visit to Massa Marittima revolves around Piazza Garibaldi, from which the old routes through which you explore the old city radiate in all directions. In the Piazza Garibaldi certain buildings stand out for their elegance, including the Counts of Biserno Palace (XIII century), Palazzo Comunale and Praetorian Palace, the seat of the museums.

In the vicinity of the Square are the 13th century Public Fountain, the 'Palace of Plenty', the ancient Mint and the Church of San Michele. Head along Via Roma to Porta Senese and Silici Gate, beyond which more interesting buildings can be seen: the Fortezza Senese and the Tower of the Candle; while in Piazza Matteotti some further buildings stand out, such as the Palazzo delle Armi ( XV century), the church of Saint Augustine (XIII century), with one nave and with a painting by Lorenzo Lippi (“The Flight into Egypt”), and finally, the Church of San Francesco.

Massa Marittima cathedral

The heart of the Old Town of Massa Marittima is certainly the 13th century Cathedral of St. Cerbone. The facade of the church, very attractive, is composed of two architectural styles: at the top stands a gallery supported by slender columns resting on statues, while the bottom and the sides are characterized by a sequence of 'blind' arches, interrupted only by large portals. The left side of the cathedral features a bell tower decorated with narrow column-mullioned windows and four-trefoils. Inside, the aisles are divided by columns of travertine; but what is most striking for the visitor are the numerous and unique works of art. Among these, the stories of the New Testament, the scenes of life on St. Cerbone (XIII century), and finally the stoup, also of the thirteenth century. Another valuable work of art is a crucifix, probably by Segna di Bonaventura; and no less ancient and valuable is the altarpiece of the 'Madonna delle Grazie'.

Massa Maritimma Museums

The Museum system of Massa Marittima, based around the Praetorian Palace, is one of the richest in Italy. In fact it has ten museums, among which are the Archaeological Museum, divided into an impressive series of sections (Villanova, Orientalizing, classical, Hellenistic and Roman). Very interesting for ancient artefacts is the Villanova Section, where various archaeological evidences show that in the first phase and of their history, the Etruscans inhabited the territory of Massa Marittima. Surrounding the Accesa Lake, a vast necropolis was discovered, probably dating back to the ninth -VII century BC.

See also see the Museum of History and Mines; the exhibition is divided into four rooms, two on each floor of the building. In room I is the floor plan of Massa Marittima territory at the time of domination of the Etruscan town of Vetulonia (VII - VI BC). In room II are displayed in the hall floor plan of Massa Marittima in the period when it was a free Municipality (1225 - 1335), and a panel depicting a copy of the so-called "Mining Code of Massa Marittima”, a set of regulations relating to mining of the ancient City (XIII century) and, finally, other panels that illustrate the history of mining in the city from medieval to modern times. In room III there is a collection of minerals and in Room IV, the evolution of the plans of the city over the centuries, along with tools for the detection and extraction of ore.

For those interested, the other museums include: the Museum of Accesa Lake, Museum of Sacred Art, of Mine, of the Candlestick Tower, of Ancient Old Mill and of Ancient Joinery.

Other highlights of a visit to Massa Marittima

Along with the historical beauties from its illustrious past, Massa Marittima offers visitors the natural beauty of the Maremma, and also a very traditional cuisine and some wines and cuisine of quality.

Among the meat dishes to be tasted absolutely is the famous 'Tagliata', seasoned with porcini mushrooms and seasonal vegetables, while among the wines, we absolutely must drink a few glasses of Alicante and Vermentino.

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