Tuscany …between land and sea Art, nature, flavors and fragrances from the origins of our history. TOURIST OFFICE TREASURE CHEST OF MEMORIES PROLOCO CASALE MARITTIMO asale Marittimo rises on a hill with a spectacular view of the return here, after a lifetime, and meet this cluster of houses, scattered (from June 15th countryside and the coastline, and is not far from the sea and the with green shutters. to September 15th) C I San Sebastiano 1 islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Among the cobblestone streets that I enter the village. The little square decorated with holly oaks lies before +39 0586.1880769 climb into the historic town center are perfectly preserved buildings me and, immediately powerful, sweet memories of my childhood take me prolococasale back. People used to play Tamburello in this square. (Tamburello is an marittimo of stone and terracotta, which evoke a sense that time has stopped. ancient local game, editor’s note). Shouts, laughter, and images resurface @gmail.com; This medieval village is among the most beautiful of Italy, Orange casalemarittimo now as in a black and white film. Suddenly, people everywhere, talking, @costadegli Flag of the Italian Touring Club. The remains of the ancient Castle, eating, dogs wagging their tails, street vendors: no one stays at home on etruschi.eu the semicircular ring structure of the various city walls, and a series September 8th, for the Festa del Diotto. I sigh. of buildings bear witness to the passage of different eras. Outside the I continue to the Casa del Camerlengo and the carved skull reminds me of Comune di Casale Marittimo village some routes lead to sites of historical environmental interest: the ancient prison. From the clock tower I go up to the Piazza del Popolo, INFO AT of the Etruscan presence the circular tomb at Tholos is famous, and images of old carts, Etruscan memorial stones like cannon balls, the shop Municipality’s in the locality of Casa Nocera, a dwelling of considerable size, and a of the butcher Omero and splinters of ox bone strike me, shattered by Secretary Office Tel. +39 0586.653405 necropolis with a complex of tombs to which belonged the two round his knife. I smile. I was a young man, at the time, and ran through these Placido Dino statues of the so-called Warrior Princes. The Roman period is mar- wrinkles, these alleys, that intertwine within the walls of the Castello. Narsetti ked by the remains of two ancient villas. The green hills are ideal for Wrinkles on which I now walk slowly, and that reflect on my face in a web (Class of 1928. of memories. THE MAGIC OF relaxing walks. The territory is crossed by the Etruscan Coast Wine Emigrated to “Casale paese di collina”; this melody is in the air again, now as then. A MEDIEVAL Road which promises the encounter with white and red wines of great VILLAGE, the north, but “There is a group of houses above a very pretty place. You can admire the BETWEEN value. Whether you rediscover the fragrant aromas of food and wine Casalese by azure sea, you can view mountains and seas, the air is all a whisper of PAST AND specialties offered at festivals, such as snails and wild boar, or antici- birth and soul) songs and mysterious sounds...”. PRESENT pate new delicacies to enjoy, you will find them here. round the Della Gherardesca castle, on the top of a hill, the medie- Aval village of Castagneto has developed with narrow, cobblesto- ne streets, beautiful squares, artisan workshops, and trattorias. The Praetorian Palace is the seat of the municipality. Among the chur- ches, San Lorenzo is one of the oldest buildings, and the Holy Crucifix preserves a wooden cross dating SWEET HILLS CROSSED BY THE WINE to the 5th century. The territory AND OIL ROAD, SHADY PINE FORESTS, is linked closely with the poet AND BEACHES LAPPED Giosuè Carducci. The poem “Da- BY A CRYSTAL CLEAR SEA vanti a San Guido” (In Front of San Guido) has made famous the avenue with a double row of cypresses, which connects the oratory of San Guido to the villa- ge of Bolgheri, where you are greeted by a medieval THE BUBBLING VATS “Precisely!,” red brick castle. Between Castagneto and Bolgheri, My companion responds in wonder. the Wine and Oil Road runs along the Etruscan Co- isten, sir, I want to tell you about “And, all of the surrounding ast. We are in the heart of Bolgheri DOC, home of countryside is awash with life, a place with a stunning beauty; Sassicaia and other great wines that are protagoni- “L history, and pastoral art. A country a paradise, I dare say, embraced sts of wine history, and we have numerous wineries by steep hills that slope down accented with fragrant pine groves and wine bars. The gastronomic offer is rich and to plains brimming with thriving and that kisses the sea through vineyards and silvery olive groves,” vast beaches and pristine dunes.” varied, enhanced by the production of quality extra I hear someone say. “And scattered, “Goodness!,” virgin olive oils. Towards the coast, the WWF Oasis like ancient seeds on that noble Exclaims the man. Padule di Bolgheri is a splendid example of the na- land, lie dwellings and the tower “And the sunset melts into that sea tive environment of the upper Maremma, and the of a castle upon whose black door from which emerge the splendid seaside resort, Marina di Donoratico, offers a suc- Count Ugolin knocked.” isles of Elba, Capraia, Gorgona, and cession of beach facilities, open spaces, and a Blue the horn of Corsica. But, sir... you “Interesting,” I reply. Flag sea. The whole area offers welcoming accom- already know that!” “In this pleasant place there is an modations and is surrounded by a vast pine forest avenue, unique in all the world, “I know,” I say. “That is the with a famous playground, “Il Cavallino Matto”. edged by cypress that rise stately unforgettable place of my childhood and today bears my and tall in double rows.” CASTAGNETO BOLGHERI “And where does that avenue take surname.” TOURIST OFFICES CARDUCCI c/o Consorzio Strada “Tell me, what is your name?” MARINA c/o U R P Comunale, del Vino e dell’Olio you?” DI CASTAGNETO Palazzo Comunale Costa degli Etruschi “It leads to an enchanting village in I extend my hand and take my DONORATICO Tel. +39 0565.778228 Centro Civico which sublime wines are sipped.” leave: “My name is Giosuè Carducci. Via della Marina ufficituristici Strada Giulia 18 Tel. +39 0565.744276 @comune. Tel. +39 0565.749768 “Wines that accompany delicious And I thank you for helping me ufficituristici@comune. castagneto- turismo@lastrada dishes, I imagine, like the wild boar to recapture the memories of my castagneto-carducci.li.it carducci.li.it; delvino.com head,” I reply. youth.” [email protected] foto Vincenzo Bernardi Comune di Castagneto Carducci ARCHEAOLOGY AND RELAXATION n area inhabited since antiquity, it owes its name to the “Cecina”, Aa powerful people of Etruscan origin involved in the political life of Rome. In the Archaeological Park of San Vincenzino there are the remains of the Roman villa that Albino Cecina built. In the Archae- TOURIST OFFICES ological Museum, finds of extraordinary interest retrace the history of the territory. The fall of the Roman Empire caused the depopula- CECINA MARE Piazza Sant’Andrea tion of the area and only its reclamation will determine its rebirth and tel. +390586.620678 future state. Today, Cecina is a prosperous and lively town, known (open also off season, for bank for its shops with a wide range of quality products and with a par- holidays and ticular commercial vocation: more than 100 have been in business festivities) for more than 40 years. The weekly market is one of the largest in CECINA CENTRO Via Montanara Tuscany. Continuing towards the coast, Marina di Cecina is a welco- +39 0586.1860655 ming and well-equipped resort town, with a Blue Flag sea and among (from June 15th to September 15th) the top five beaches in Italy for disabled access. Long strands of du- nes with dense vegetation push towards the interior: the biogenetic CONTATTI cecina@visitcosta natural reserve of the Tomboli of Cecina is one of the most beautiful deglietruschi.com; Italian forests with fifteen kilometers of protected area with unique cecina @costa deglietruschi.eu and distinctive vegetation; numerous trails make it an ideal place for Comune di Cecina sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts. THE y name is Decio Albino Cecina scholar of the Risorgimento, a SENATOR Mand I am a senator of Rome. political enthusiast, and agitator OF ROME I descend from the noble Etruscan of consciences. He was from family Caecina, and from me this Livorno, it is true, but his destiny city takes its name. was inextricably linked to Cecina. My villa was on the knoll of fig He, with his patriotic anxieties trees, which today is called San and his aversion to moderatism, Vincenzino and which has become was, according to Giosuè Carducci, the Parco Archeologico. The largest the “last survivor of the illustrious underground cistern belonged to Tuscans”. me. My statues and ceramics were I have given my name to this discovered by Leonetto Cipriani in city, as I said, but I take no other 1800. Claudio Rutilio Namaziano credit: its sea has always been also wrote of my riches after pristine, the pine forests are green admiring them during his stay here spaces in which to run, play, and as my guest on his return to Gaul. enjoy unhurried recreation. And, So it all began with me, then, but commercial activities flourish this city grew and became great thanks to this vital and vibrant on its own with grand buildings, people.