Toscana Underground

Home , Albinia, Apuan Alps, Belverde, Bottini of Siena, Camaiore, Fabbriche di Vallico

TOSCANA UNDERGROUND

TOSCANA www.turismo.intoscana.it UNDERGROUND nd u gr o r e Un d Underground BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AS OUTSIDE a n a c s o Toscana Regione Toscana T CAVES • MINES • NECROPOLISES groun d Unde r an a os c T

grotte, miniere e musei ipogei, bottini, cantine e magazzini fenomeni carsici, della miniera, necropoli, cunicoli sotterranei, scavati nella roccia, sof oni minerali e opere di drenaggio interni delle mura nel tufo etc... relativi musei, e idrauliche, cittadine archeologia mineraria tagliate e industriale

nd u gr o r e Un d Underground

a n a c s o Toscana T groun d Unde r an a os c T

a n a c s o Toscana T

The logo represents an ammonite, a fossil that was once alive and has become an object, a “treasure” to discover, offered to us by the earth. The image is contrasted to

groun d such a point that it almost becomes abstract; it is cold and immobile,

Unde r but at the same time the spiral is a vortex that shows a way, and invites an a us to delve under the surface. os c T

LEGEND Services n Visiting rules b Bookshop s Special indications l Picnic area u Educational activities F Bar grotte, miniere e musei ipogei, bottini, cantine e magazzini fenomeni carsici, della miniera, necropoli, cunicoli sotterranei, scavati nella roccia, t Restaurant sof oni minerali e opere di drenaggio interni delle mura nel tufo etc... How to get there relativi musei, e idrauliche, cittadine archeologia mineraria tagliate o Museum e industriale a By car g Caravan park w By train 5 Conference hall d By bus Useful Information v By ferry Access for the disabled SS main road k -yes -no -partial SR regional road SP provincial road Photography allowed For further information: j -yes -no -partial SC municipal road www.turismo.intoscana.it un d un d un d un d ndergr o ndergr o ndergr o ndergr o U U U U

can a can a can a can a s s s s o o o o T T T T un d un d un d un d ndergr o ndergr o ndergr o ndergr o U U U U

can a can a can a can a s s s s o o o o T T T T

CONTENTS

Caves of Natural and Prehis- Mines, Mining and Industrial Necropolises and Tufo Underground Passageways grotte,grotte,grotte,grotte, miniereminiere e museiminiere eminiere musei e musei e museiipogei,ipogei,ipogei,ipogei, bottini,bottini,bottini,bottini, cantinecantine e mcantineagazzini ecantine ma egazzini m ea gazzinimagazzini fenomenitoric Interest,fenomeni carsici,fenomeni Cavefenomeni carsici, Therapy carsici, carsici,della miniera,dellaArchaeology dellaminiera,della miniera, miniera,necropoli,necropoli,necropoli,Civilisationsnecropoli, cunicolicunicoli sotterranei,cunicoli sotterranei,cunicoliand sotterranei, Aqueducts sotterranei,scavatisc nellaavasc tiroccia anellavscatiav ,nellarocciaati nella roccia, roccia, , sof onisof onisof onisof oni mineraliminerali e minerali mineralie e e opere diopere drenopere diaggio operedren di adren ggiodi drenaggiointerniaggio internidelleinterni mura delleinterni dellemura delle muranel mura tufonel etc... tufonel etc...neltufo tufo etc... etc... Antro del Corchia rel12ativi relThemusei,a tiviSielerel musei,a Minereltivia musei,tivi musei,e idrauliche,e74 idrauliche,e Theidrauliche,e “Cittàidrauliche, del Tufo”cittadine cittadinecittadinecittadineThe “Bottini” Underground The Pietra Piegata archeologiaarcheologiaThe Mercury archeologiaminerariaarcheologia Mines mineraria minerariat minerariaagliatet78agliatteaArchaeologyglitaglite ate and Mining Park 118 Passageways in Siena 136 Museum e16 industrialeeThe industriale Cornacchinoe industrialee industriale Mines 82 Rock Settlement of Vitozza 122 The Santa Mustiola Buca di Castelvenere 18 The Massa Marittima The Baratti and Populonia Catacombs 140 Buca del Tasso 22 Mining Museum 84 Archaeology and Mining Park 124 The Fonti dell’Abbondanza Grotta del Tambugione 26 The Montecatini Val di Cecina Via Cava of San Giuseppe 128 Gallery 144 Grotte della Penna 30 Mining Museum 88 The San Rocco Rock The Labyrinth of Porsenna 148 Roccia dei Pennati 34 The Abbadia San Salvatore Settlement 132 The Chiusi Museum 152 Grotta del Tanaccio 38 Mining Museum 92 Grotta all’Onda 42 The Montieri Archaeology Grotta del Sassocolato 46 and Mining Park 96 Grotta del Vento 50 The San Silvestro Archaeology and Mining Park 100 Grotta Giusti 54 The Island of Elba Grotta Maona 58 Mining Park 104 Grotte di Bagni Caldi 60 The Gavorrano Mining The Belverde Archaeology and Nature Park 108 and Nature Park 64 The Apuan Alps Archaeology The Grotte di Equi and Mining Structure 112 Cultural Park 68

n this book do not hope to find the classic Tuscany as shown in images and postcards of rows of cypress trees and hills of olive groves, because…they’re not there. Instead, you can get to know interesting places in our region with one thing in common: they’re all underground. Caves, mines, burial sites and underground passages. Toscana Underground boosts tourism at less well-known sposts, such as those that are hidden underground, and hopes to promote protection of the environment, a precious good that needs safeguarding.

The sites are scattered over a large part of the region, and many of them are off the traditional tourist routes. What is more, some have recently been renovated and made safe, or had an infrastructure built around them. We need to make the most of these places, and they deserve to be enjoyed by the public. They are highly interesting and appealing places which enrich what our area has to offer tourists. They can be an interesting destination not only for enthusiasts, but also for a day out with the family or friends and for educational school trips. ToscanaUnderground, A Beautiful Region Inside and Out Often the most beautiful things are hidden from the eye – we have to go and look for them, they’re not exactly to hand. And when travelling it’s a bit like that too. In Tuscany there are places far off (not too far though) the beaten track that only a few people, Tuscans included, know about; fascinating, amazing places that still leave the imagination to run riot. Then someone realised that this world wrapped in the shadows is just as marvellous as the things that shine in the light of day: and this is how Toscana Underground. This guide features these secret places: nature in all its extraordinary and extemporary splendour, with its karstic caves, and underground places that tell of man’s history and work, such as necropolises, mines and ancient aqueducts. ToscanaUnderground, A Beautiful Region Inside and Out The Toscana Underground metro descends deep down, resurfaces, and then disappears from view again. There are four types of station scattered around a large part of the region: - Caves of Natural and Prehistoric Interest, Cave Therapy; - Mines, Mining and Industrial Archaeology; - Necropolises and Tufo Civilisations; - Underground Passageways and Aqueducts . There is such a variety of places to visit that they can attract varied visitors: people on day trips, sports lovers, history and archaeology enthusiasts and school trips. The first stop for Toscana Underground is at the The encounter between man and nature has given caves, diving deep down in no less than 53 areas in life to spectacular landscapes in this case too. the region. The cave map of Tuscany counts 1,597 In the Maremman hinterland, the Vitozza rock settle- caves, with a total of 270 kilometres of natural galler- ment at San Quirico di Sorano is practically a village ies. Karstic phenomena – caves, dolines, springs, blind dug out of the tufo rock: the dwellings have been valleys – cover around 1200 km_ of the region (5% of modelled out of the rock, as have the mangers and the whole territory) and are of remarkable importance storehouses; only the church, fortress and castle are for water supplies; the richest spring in Tuscany – the built above ground. Frigido - bursts up in the Apuan Alps, releasing an in- Non the less fascinating are the Etruscan burial credible amount of water (1,550 litres per second). grounds that are dotted throughout the area of Sova- The Apuan Alps also host Monte Corchia, the most ex- na (Grosseto). tensive cave system in Italy with around 60 kilometres The last stop for Toscana Underground is at the of galleries and obruks, and the Paolo Roversi abyss, drainage galleries dug to collect and take water in- descending 1,249 metres, making it the deepest cave side town walls. The famous “Bottini” unwind over MASSA in Italy and the 21st deepest in the world. more than 25 km under the heart of Siena. Built dur- Some of these marvels are equipped for tourists, such ing the Middle Ages and Renaissance, they are still as the three large karstic cavities in the Apuan Alps: in working order today. Grotta del Vento in Garfagnana, Grotte di Equi Terme in Similar tunnels can be found in other towns, such as Lunigiana and Antro del Corchia in Versilia. The work to Massa Marittima and Chiusi (Siena). make the caves safe, carried out while respecting the This guide brings together just some of the many subterranean environment, and the technology used, underground places in our region; many more are mean that they can be visited by a vast amount of peo- currently being restored and will soon be accessible ple without jeopardising the delicate biological balance. to tourists. Versilia is getting organised to open the These caves are an unusual and exceptional laboratory former Edem mines to visitors. These mines were for schools, where pupils can effortlessly learn about open until 1990, mining barium and iron. In the Parco geology, chemistry and biology. di Cavriglia the Buca delle Fate cave, the only purely In addition, the natural cavities also preserve fragile karstic feature in the province of Arezzo, is currently ecosystems, and are the ideal habitat for strange spe- in the final stages of being made safe to visit. cies of plants and animals. An example is the Grotta And there are lots more places waiting to be dis- del Sassocolato in Castell’Azzara (Grosseto) with its covered. conspicuous colony of bats. In a world as globalised as ours, where satellite pho- In some caves, excavation work has uncovered re- tos allow us to see every single part of our planet, we mains of animals and traces of human presence from could think that every corner of the earth has already the Palaeolithic Age. been explored. This is true for the surface, but under The second stop is at the mines and mining museums, the surface it is a different story. In fact, perhaps not opening the doors to another aspect of the under- everybody knows that there is a sport, the only one ground world and to the metallurgy industry, whose that allows you to visit places where no human being history is still not well-known today, despite it having has ever set foot before, even just a few miles away involved many communities over the centuries. from your home: potholing. It may seem incredible, There are important mineral beds (iron, lead, copper but new caves are discovered every year in Tuscany, and mercury) in various areas in Tuscany – the island of some of which surprisingly large; just think that the Elba, the Campigliese area, the Metalliferous Hills, Mon- number of caves censured grew from 837 in 1989 te Amiata and the Apuan Alps – and many have been to 1,597 in 2003. Just like rock climbing, a lot of exploited since ancient times, as can be seen by the nu- care and experience is needed if you are going to merous traces of mining activities from Etruscan times. try out potholing; so it is important that you contact In the 13th century, the first mining code in Europe was one of the numerous potholing groups in Tuscany drawn up in the Grosseto area of Tuscany, or Massa which organise beginners courses under the guid- Marittima to be precise, known as Massa Metallorum ance of qualified personnel to introduce you to this in the Middle Ages. fascinating sport. The third stop for Toscana Underground is at other types of site: tombs, houses, cellars and stalls for Therefore, it just remains to us to wish you “buon animals. viaggio” in Toscana Underground!

10 1 Antro del Corchia 7 Grotta del Tanaccio 18 The Cornacchino Mines 28 The Baratti and Populonia 2 Buca di Castelvenere 8 Grotta all’Onda 19 The Massa Marittima Mining Museum Archaeology and Mining Park 3 Buca del Tasso 9 Grotta del Sassocolato 20 The Montecatini Val di Cecina Mining Museum 29 Via Cava of San Giuseppe 4 Grotta del Tambugione 10 Grotta del Vento 21 The Abbadia San Salvatore Mining Museum 30 The San Rocco Rock Settlement 5 Grotte della Penna 11 Grotta Giusti 22 The Montieri Archaeology and Mining Park 31 The “Bottini” Underground 6 Roccia dei Pennati 12 Grotta Maona 23 The San Silvestro Archaeology and Mining Park Passageways in Siena 13 Grotte di Bagni Caldi 24 The Island of Elba Mining Park 32 The Santa Mustiola Catacombs 14 The Belverde Archaeology and Nature Park 25 The Gavorrano Mining and Nature Park 33 The Fonti dell’Abbondanza Gallery 15 The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 26 The Apuan Alps Archaeology and Mining Structure 34 The Labyrinth of Porsenna 16 The Siele Mine 27 The “Città del Tufo” Archaeology 35 The Chiusi Museum 17 The Mercury Mines and Mining Park

15 CARRARA 2 26 1 10 MASSA 17 13 PISTOIA 3 12 LUCCA PRATO 4 11 5 PISA FIRENZE 6 7 8 LIVORNO

20 AREZZO SIENA 31

22 23 32 19 33 35 28 34 14 25 21 18 24 GROSSETO 16 9 27 30 29

11 1 Antro del Corchia 9 Grotta del Sassocolato 2 Buca di Castelvenere 10 Grotta del Vento 3 Buca del Tasso 11 Grotta Giusti 4 Grotta del Tambugione 12 Grotta Maona 5 Grotte della Penna 13 Grotte di Bagni Caldi 6 Roccia dei Pennati 14 The Belverde Archaeology and Nature Park 7 Grotta del Tanaccio 15 The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 8 Grotta all’Onda

CARRARA 2 1 10 MASSA 13 PISTOIA 3 12 LUCCA PRATO 4 11 5 PISA FIRENZE 6 7 8 LIVORNO

AREZZO SIENA

GROSSETO 9

12 And driven by my hankering curiosity, anxious to see the enormous amount of varied and strange shapes contrived by nature, and while roaming among the shady rocks, I came across the entrance to a large cave; I was amazed at this spectacle, not knowing that such a thing existed, and bent over by the cramp in my kidneys with my tired hand resting on my knee, and my right hand shading myself from the sun, I twisted from side to side, squinting to see if I could make out anything inside, but I could not as it was so dark. And in this state, I immediately felt two things, fear and desire: fear before the threatening, dark cave, and the desire to see if there were any miraculous things inside… Leonardo da Vinci

Caves of Natural and Prehistoric Interest, Cave Therapy

uscany has one of the richest underground Theritages in Italy: more than 1,200 km_ of its territory can boast extensive cave systems. A speleological survey of Tuscany has classified more than 1,500 caves in 53 different areas of the region, ranking it third in Italy, just behind Sardinia and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. What is more, the cave system of Monte Corchia is the largest in Tuscany and the 51st largest in the world. A true, hidden wealth, which deserves as much acknowl- edgement as the treasures on ground level.

13 Museo della Antro del Corchia Pietra Piegata

Antro del Corchia Parco Regionale Opening times Via Nord, 27 delle Alpi Apuane Morning and afternoon. A calen- Levigliani di Stazzema (LU) dar of the opening days can be www.parcapuane.it seen on the web site www.antro- Info [email protected] corchia.it; opening on request Antro del Corchia only on days not marked on the www.antrocorchia.it www.versiliainfo.com calendar. www.luccaterre.it Summer: also open at night. www.antrocorchia.it [email protected]

14 Antro del Corchia Levigliani di Stazzema (LU)

Cave of Naturalistic Interest altitude 860 m

he Monte Corchia cave system in the Apuan Alps regional park is the largest cave system in Italy and one of Tthe biggest in Europe. With five million years of geological history behind it, its over 60 km of galleries plunge 1200 m into the earth. Although exploration of the cave, the third deepest in Italy, began in the 1800s, it was only in 2001 that the public at large was able to admire the majestic columns of stalactites and stalagmites, the shields, hardpans and also the underwater formations such as the “cave pearls”. The work to provide access to the cave was carried out so as to respect the subterranean environment, which is extremely sensitive and delicate: by way of an example, the lighting system, consisting of diffused lights dotted along the trail, is regulated so that it only turns on when visitors pass through in order to lessen the effects on the underground world. In addition, there are three monitoring posts to constantly con- trol the microclimate.

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian, English, German, French, Spanish. b j- k-

Tour routes The cave has a constant tem- This tour is not recommended 2 km, well-lighted and perature of +7.6°C, therefore we for people who have mobility equipped, 2h recommend that you bring suita- problems as the route includes Trail on boardwalks, steps and ble clothing (jumper, comfortable around 1800 steps. natural ground. shoes); rubber-soled shoes and sweaters can be hired.

15 The Tour come to the “Galleria degli Ingl- shallow waters of the “Laghet- esi” (English gallery). Here you to del Venerdì” (Friday lake); Once you arrive in the village of can gaze upon the red, rust, and zigzag through the close- Levigliani di Stazzema, a shuttle white and brown colours of the ly-packed fossil formations of bus will take you to the entrance formations: it is no coincidence the “Foresta Pietrificata” (petri- of the Antro del Corchia, creat- that it was called the “Galleria fied forest) until we come face ed in an abandoned marble dipinta” (painted gallery) before to face with the natural marvel quarry, 860 m above sea lev- being named the “English gal- of the “Galleria delle Stalattiti” el. Then you follow an artificial lery” in honour of the potholers (gallery of stalactites). However tunnel for around 170 m until who discovered it. beautiful, it is difficult to com- you get to the actual cave en- The silence of the mountain is pare it to other underground trance. On the right, looking as broken by a small waterfall that milieus: there is a large pillar if it is checking who enters, is falls from a tall chimney; in the that looks as if it is trying to hold the “Gendarme”, a short, cone- “Galleria del Venerdì” (Friday up the whole vault by itself. shaped stalagmite formation. gallery) an imposing stalactite From the ceiling, the formations You pass through the “Galleria is shaped like an eagle with its overlap and descend the walls Franosa” (landslide gallery), and wings spread. We pass by the to dive into small pools of water.

16 n Please respect the visiting Stazzema (LU); the Romanesque rules. parochial church of Santa Maria Assunta, Stazzema (LU); Museo storico della resistenza-Parco How to get there nazionale della pace (Museum of the resistance movement–the na- a From Forte dei Marmi: tional park for peace), Sant’Anna Arni SP 10 road in the direction di Stazzema (LU); Museo dei bo- of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana to zzetti-sketches museum, Pietra Levigliani. santa (LU). - A12 Genoa-Livorno motorway, Versilia exit; then Arni SP 10 road in the direction of Castelnuovo di Next stop Garfagnana to Levigliani. for Toscana Underground - From Castelnuovo di Garfagna- na: SP 13 road to Levigliani. The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 Buca di Castelvenere 18 w 15 km from the Seravez- Buca del Tasso 22 za-Querceta-Forte dei Marmi rail- Grotta del Tambugione 26 way station on the Turin-Genoa- Grotte della Penna 30 Rome line. Roccia dei Pennati 34 Grotta del Tanaccio 38 d Vaibus Clap, Pietrasan- Grotta all’Onda 42 ta-Castelnuovo di Garfagnana Grotta del Vento 50 route to Levigliani, 4-5 trips a The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 day. From Levigliani shuttle bus to the entrance of the Antro del The Mercury Mines 78 Corchia (service included in the The Apuan Alps Archaeology ticket price). and Mining Structure 112

The Surrounding Area

Marmitte dei Giganti (cavities formed by water erosion near the Galleria del Cipollaio), Isola Santa- Marmitte dei Giganti

17 The Pietra Piegata Museum Levigliani di Stazzema (LU)

Museum

he Pietra Piegata Mu- seum, in the village of TLevigliani di Stazzema, in the Apuan Alps, tells the secret its inhabitants know since centuries: “piegare”, which means ingeniously fold the noblest and purest stone of the area, marble. turing: sacred art, coloured 3rd-2nd century b.C., early The museum collects proofs marbles of the Apuan Alps, before the Roman conquest of an ultra-millennial civili- instruments used in medi- of the area, which were part zation that survived thanks cine and pharmacy and fur- of a large cemetery of the to the presence of marble nishing. On the third floor, a Liguri Apuani population. and the ability to work it. special archaeology section Here, in different sections, collects pottery finds and are collected some relevant other materials found in var- examples of stone manufac- ious tombs dating back the

Museo della Pietra Piegata Parco Regionale Opening times Via 4 novembre, 70 delle Alpi Apuane Morning and afternoon. An annual Levigliani di Stazzema (LU) calendar of the opening days can be www.parcapuane.it found on the website www.antro- [email protected] corchia.it; opening on request only Info on days not marked on the calendar. Museo della Pietra Piegata www.luccaturismo.it www.luccaterre.it Guided tours [email protected] In Italian, English, German, www.antrocorchia.it French, Spanish.

Useful Information j- k-

18 n Please respect the visiting Santa-Stazzema (LU); the Ro- Buca del Tasso 22 rules. manesque abbey of Santa Maria Grotta del Tambugione 26 Assunta, Stazzema (LU); Museo Grotte della Penna 30 storico della Resistenza - Parco Roccia dei Pennati 34 How to get there nazionale della pace Museum Grotta del Tanaccio 38 of the Resistance movement– Grotta all’Onda 42 a From Forte dei Marmi: the National park for peace of Grotta del Vento 50 Arni SP 10 road in the direction Sant’Anna di Stazzema (LU). The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana to The Mercury Mines 78 Levigliani. The Apuan Alps Archaeology - A12 Genoa-Livorno motorway, Next stop and Mining Structure 112 Versilia exit; then Arni SP 10 road for Toscana Underground in the direction of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana to Levigliani. Antro del Corchia 12 - From Castelnuovo di Garfagna- Buca di Castelvenere 18 na: SP 13 road to Levigliani. w 15 km from the Seravez- za- Querceta-Forte dei Marmi railway station on the Turin-Genoa- Rome line. d Vaibus Clap, Pietrasan- ta-Castelnuovo di Garfagnana route to Levigliani, 4-5 trips per day. From Levigliani shuttle bus to the entrance of the Antro del Cor- chia (service included in the ticket price).

The surrounding area

Marmitte dei Giganti (cavities formed by water erosion near the Galleria del Cipollaio), Isola

19 Buca di Castevenere

Buca di Castelvenere Opening times Guided tours Fabbriche di Vallico-Vallico Sopra The Grotta di Castelvenere is not a Upon reservation, educational touristic site but it is nevertheless activities on the environment Info opened to public, if adequately and the underground world are Buca di Castelvenere equipped for speleology. It has a organised for schools. large opening, like a cave, which [email protected] narrows after 20 metres and then www.parcapuane.it divides in two different directions. It has a horizontal development, www.luccaturismo.it slightly uphill, of about 500 me- www. luccaterre.it tres. It has a perpetual water spring.

20 Buca di Castelvenere Garfagnana (LU)

Cave and sacred place

he Grotta di Castelvenere is on the southeast side of the Monte Penna di Cardoso, in the valley of the Turrite TCava stream, right tributary of the Serchio river. It is in the municipality of Fabbriche di Vallico and dates back to the Eneolithic period. The cave is also known with the name “Buca di Castel- tendine”. Several findings, which proved the cave was attend- ed as a sacred place, were collected during an archaeological campaign in the 20th century. Certainly, the holiness of the place was conferred by the stream that flows directly in the cave, believed to have benefits for health and feminine fertility. Among the findings, of Etruscan and Roman period, today collected and exhibited in the National Museum of Villa Guini- gi, in Lucca, and in the Archaeological Museum of Casteln- uovo di Garfagnana, some Etruscan bronze statuettes are very important.

Tour routes Services Useful Information The trail to the cave, signal CAI Possibility of tours with guides 111, starts from Vallico Sopra of the Apuan Alps Natural Park j- k- and continues for 1 h in a slight and environmental guides, upon slope around the Mount Penna. request for groups. The cave can be visited only The entrance to the cave is on with speleological equipment. a narrow plain, reachable with Trekking gear is recommended. a steep track, with some steps, which needs to be covered carefully.

21 How to get there The surrounding area Next stop Watermill of Fabbriche di Vallico for Toscana Underground a From Lucca: Monte Matanna - SP2 Ludovica for 30 km in the Alpine pasture of San Luigi Monte Antro del Corchia 12 direction of Castelnuovo Garfag- Gragno and Monte Palodina The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 nana Turritecava, crossing with Canyon Rio Selvano Buca del Tasso 22 Fabbriche di Vallico. SP37 for Grotta del Vento (Fornovolasco) Grotta del Tambugione 26 7 km until Fabbriche di Vallico, Adventure Park of Battiferro (For- Grotte della Penna 30 crossing with San Luigi. 5 km novolasco) Roccia dei Pennati 34 on the municipal road until the Grotta del Tanaccio 38 beginning of the trail CAI 111. 1h Grotta all’Onda 42 walking. Grotta del Vento 50 The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 w Nearest train station For- naci di Barga on the line Luc- The Mercury Mines 78 ca-Aulla The Apuan Alps Archaeology and Mining Structure 112 d CTTNord bus service (on working days only)

22 23 Buca del tasso

Buca del Tasso Opening times Metato The cave is always accessible, without ticket, be- Camaiore cause the entrance is directly on the trail.

Info Civico Museo Archeologico di Camaiore

www.comune.camaiore.lu.it [email protected]

www.luccaturismo.it

www.luccaterre.it

24 Buca del Tasso Metato-Camaiore (LU)

Prehistoric cave

uca del Tasso, in the village of Metato, municipality of Camaiore, is a small cave on the left of the Carpigna Bstream, where were found stone instruments of Pal- aeolithic period and animal bones, mostly of the cave bear. The most relevant discovery was a child femur of the species Homo Neanderthalensis, a really extraordinary result because it is the only Neanderthal bone ever found in Tusca- ny. The archaeological campaign affirmed that the cave was frequented during the medium Palaeolithic, about 40.000 years ago. Today, the cave is hard to reach. A selection of these materials is in the Museum “A.C. Blanc” in Viareggio, while the cast of the thigh bone (the original is at the Muse- um of Anthropology and Ethnology of Florence) is shown in the Archaeological Museum of Camaiore.

Guided tours Useful Information In Italian and English. Guided tours with an archaeologist for school children and groups. Tours j- k- have to be booked at the Archaeological Museum of Camaiore. Trekking gear is recommended.

25 u Educational activities are and take the steep trail to the cheologico (archaeological mu- organized for schools. cave. seum); Museo di Arte Sacra (religious art museum). At Candalla s The cave is an archaeolog- From South: A11 Firenze - Lucca (LU): watermills, olive oil mills and ical site. Anyone causing motorway, then A12, Viareggio ex- other preindustrial works along damage to the cave will be it; then SP1 in the direction of Ca- the Lombricese stream; the for- punished by the law. maiore and SC in the direction of mer Barsi ironworks. Metato. Walk on the trail of Monte Riglione or Pianelle until crossing How to get there Rio dei Colli; turn right and take the steep trail to the cave. a From North: A15 Parma-La Spezia motorway, then A12, Vi- w Train station of Viareggio, areggio exit; then SP1 in the di- Turin-Genoa-Rome line. rection of Camaiore and SC in the direction of Metato. Walk on the d Lazzi-Vaibus, Viareggio-Os- trail of Monte Riglione or Pianelle pedale Versilia-Camaiore-Casoli until crossing Rio dei Colli; turn line; daily service for Camaiore right and take the steep trails to and Casoli. the cave.

Alternatively, A12 motorway, The Surrounding Area Versilia exit; then SS357 Via Sarzanese until Capezzano Pian- At Camaiore (LU): the abbey of ore, then SP1 in the direction of San Pietro; the collegiate church Camaiore and SC in the direction of Santa Maria Assunta; the pa- of Metato. Walk on the trail of rochial church of Santi Stefano e Monte Riglione or Pianelle until Giovanni; the Romanesque church crossing Rio dei Colli; turn right of San Michele; Civico Museo Ar-

26 Monteggiori Next stop for Toscana Underground

Antro del Corchia 12 The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 Buca di Castelvenere 18 Grotta del Tambugione 26 Grotte della Penna 30 Roccia dei Pennati 34 Grotta del Tanaccio 38 Grotta all’Onda 42 Grotta del Vento 50 The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 The Mercury Mines 78 The Apuan Alps Archaeology and Mining Structure 112

27 Candalla

Grotta del Tambugione

Grotta del Tambugione Opening times Metato The cave is always accessible, without ticket, be- Camaiore (LU) cause the entrance is directly on the trail for Grotta all’Onda. Inside, the floor is almost flat.

Info Grotta del Tambugione Civico Museo Archeologico di Camaiore

www.comune.camaiore.lu.it [email protected] www.luccaturismo.it www.luccaterre.it

28 Grotta del Tambugione Metato-Camaiore (LU)

Prehistoric cave

he Grotta del Tambugione is an interesting cave on the west slope of Monte Ciurlaglia, above the village of TMetato and near the quarry of Schizzolino in the area of the Southern Apuan Alps. Large entrance, 12,50 meters, and depth 24, it has a large hemispherical vault. It was discovered and revealed by the archaeologist Nevio Puccioni in 1915; inside, were found human bones of six different people, 4 adults, a young and a child, together with poor grave goods such as fragments of pottery, some blades and stone arrow points. It can be reached with a trail that crosses the village of Candalla, the waterfall of Taccone, the old village of Casoli and the mine of grey marble of Schizzolino.

Guided tours Tour routes Useful Information In Italian and English. Guided About 40 minutes. tours with an archaeologist for j- k- school children and groups. Tours have to be booked a the Trekking gear is recommended. Archaeological Museum of Camaiore.

29 Camaiore

u Educational activities are Alternatively, A12 motorway, w Train station of Viareggio, organized for schools. Versilia exit, then SS357 Via Turin-Genoa-Rome line. Sarzanese to Capezzano Pianore, s The cave is an archaeolog- then SP1 in the direction of Ca- d Lazzi-Vaibus, Viareggio-Os- ical site. Anyone causing maiore, then SC in the direction pedale Versilia-Camaiore-Casoli damage to the cave will be of Metato. Walk on the trail to line; daily service for Camaiore punished by the law. Casoli, Passo della Penna, then and Casoli. turn right following the uphill trail to the cave, after the mine of How to get there Schizzolino. a From north: A15 Parma-La From south: A11 Firenze- Lucca Spezia motorway, then A12, Viar- motorway, then A12, Viareggio eggio exit then, SP1 in the direc- exit then, SP1 in the direction of tion of Camaiore, then SC in the Camaiore, then SC in the direc- direction of Metato. Walk on the tion of Metato. Walk on the trail trail to Casoli, Passo della Penna, to Casoli, Passo della Penna, then turn right following the uphill then turn right following the uphill trail to the cave, after the mine of trail to the cave, after the mine of Schizzolino. Schizzolino.

30 The Surrounding Area Next stop for Toscana Underground At Camaiore (LU): the abbey of San Pietro; the collegiate church Antro del Corchia 12 of Santa Maria Assunta; the pa- The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 rochial church of Santi Stefano Buca di Castelvenere 18 e Giovanni; the Romanesque Buca del Tasso 22 church of San Michele; Civico Mu- Grotte della Penna 30 seo Archeologico (archaeological Roccia dei Pennati 34 museum); Museo di Arte Sacra Grotta del Tanaccio 38 (religious art museum). At Candal- Grotta all’Onda 42 la (LU): watermills, olive oil mills Grotta del Vento 50 and other preindustrial works The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 along the Lombricese stream; the The Mercury Mines 78 former Barsi ironworks. Lido di Camaiore The Apuan Alps Archaeology and Mining Structure 112

31 Grotte della Penna

Grotte della Penna Opening times Camaiore (LU) The cave is always accessible, without ticket, because the entrance is directly on the trail.

Info Grotte della Penna Civico Museo Archeologico di Camaiore

www.comune.camaiore.lu.it [email protected] www.luccaturismo.it www.luccaterre.it

32 Grotte della Penna Camaiore (LU)

Prehistoric caves

onte Penna, one of the most famous peaks of Ap- pennino Ligure, is the ideal destination for both sum- Mmer and winter tours. From the top you can admire the east cost of Liguria and the valleys near Parma. Near Metato, along trails and mule tracks, in an attractive natural environment, there are two small caves, very near. In the right one, with an entrance of 13 meters, were found pottery fragments, two carved calcium pieces and a stone sliver, dating back the Eneolithic; perhaps the cave was a tempo- rary shelter for the prehistoric man, about 5.000 years ago.

Guided tours Tour routes Useful Information In Italian and English. Guided About 30 minutes. tours with an archaeologist for j- k- school children and groups. Tours have to be booked at Trekking gear is recommended. the Archaeological Museum of Camaiore.

33 u Educational activities are Capezzano Pianore, then SP 1 in The Surrounding Area organized for schools. the direction of Camaiore, then SC to Metato. Walking along the trail At Camaiore (LU): the abbey of s The cave is an archaeolog- from Metato to Casoli until Passo San Pietro; the collegiate church ical site. Anyone causing della Penna where the caves are. of Santa Maria Assunta; the pa- damage to the cave will be rochial church of Santi Stefano punished by the law. From South: A11 Firenze-Lucca e Giovanni; the Romanesque motorway, then A12, Viareggio church of San Michele; Civico Mu- exit, then SP1 in the direction of seo Archeologico (archaeological How to get there Camaiore, then SC in the direction museum); Museo di Arte Sacra of Metato. Walking along the trail (religious art museum). At Candal- a Form north: A15 Parma-La from Metato to Casoli until Passo la (LU): watermills, olive oil mills Spezia motorway, then A12, Viar- della Penna where the caves are. and other preindustrial works eggio exit, then SP1 in the direction along the Lombricese stream; the of Camaiore, then SC in the direc- w Train station of Viareggio, former Barsi ironworks. tion of Metato. Walking along the Turin-Genoa-Rome line. trail from Metato to Casoli until Pas- so della Penna where the caves are. d Lazzi-Vaibus, Viareggio-Os- pedale Versilia-Camaiore-Casoli Alternatively, A12 Versilia exit, line; daily service for Camaiore then SS 357 Via Sarzanese to and Casoli.

34 Next stop for Toscana Underground

Antro del Corchia 12 The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 Buca di Castelvenere 18 Buca del Tasso 22 Grotta del Tambugione 26 Roccia dei Pennati 34 Grotta del Tanaccio 38 Grotta all’Onda 42 Grotta del Vento 50 The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 The Mercury Mines 78 The Apuan Alps Archaeology and Mining Structure 112

35 Roccia dei Pennati

Roccia dei Pennati Opening times Greppolungo The cave is always accessible, without ticket, be- Camaiore (LU) cause the entrance is directly on the trail.

Info Roccia dei Pennati Civico Museo Archeologico di Camaiore

www.comune.camaiore.lu.it [email protected] www.luccaturismo.it

www.luccaterre.it

36 Roccia dei Pennati Greppolungo- Camaiore (LU)

Rock engravings

occia dei Pennati is about 580 meters above sea level, over the village of Greppolungo and under Monte Gab- Rberi. It is a great calcium rock, found by the Archaeo- logical Group Camaiore, slightly raised, manually polished and with 11 billhooks drawn on it. The billhook is a traditional cutting tool, with a short handle, a large blade of about 30/40 cm and a curved end. These ancient instruments, in use since the iron age, maybe related to the god Selvans/ Silvanus, were used by the Liguri Apuani people who lived on the mountains around Camaiore. The “billhook rocks” are widespread on the Apuan Alps and there are many traces of them.

Guided tours Tour routes Useful Information In Italian and English. Guided About 40 minutes. tours with an archaeologist for j- k- school children and groups. Tours have to be booked at Trekking gear is recommended. the Archaeological Museum of Camaiore.

37 38 u Educational activities are go. Walking on the uphill trail to Next stop organized for schools. Metato. for Toscana Underground s The cave is an archaeolog- w Train station of Viareggio, Antro del Corchia 12 ical site. Anyone causing Turin-Genoa-Rome line. The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 damage to the cave will be Buca di Castelvenere 18 punished by the law. d Lazzi-Vaibus, Viareggio-Os- Buca del Tasso 22 pedale Versilia-Camaiore-Casoli Grotta del Tambugione 26 line; daily service for Camaiore Grotte della Penna 30 How to get there and Casoli. Grotta del Tanaccio 38 Grotta all’Onda 42 From north: A15 Parma-La a Grotta del Vento 50 Spezia motorway, then A12 Vi- The Surrounding Area The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 areggio exit, then SP 1 in the direction of Camaiore, then SC At Camaiore (LU): the abbey of The Mercury Mines 78 to Greppolungo. Walking on the San Pietro; the collegiate church The Apuan Alps Archaeology uphill trail to Metato. of Santa Maria Assunta; the pa- and Mining Structure 112 rochial church of Santi Stefano Alternatively, A12 Versilia exit, e Giovanni; the Romanesque then SS 357 Via Sarzanese to church of San Michele; Civico Mu- Capezzano Pianore, then SP 1 in seo Archeologico (archaeological the direction of Camaiore, then museum); Museo di Arte Sacra SC to Greppolungo. Walking on (religious art museum). At Candal- the uphill trail to Metato. la (LU): watermills, olive oil mills and other preindustrial works From south: A11 Firenze-Lucca along the Lombricese stream; the motorway, then A12 Viareggio former Barsi ironworks. exit, then SP 1 in the direction of Camaiore, then SC to Greppolun-

39 Grotta del Tanaccio

Grotta del Tanaccio Opening times Casoli The cave is always accessible, without ticket, be- Camaiore cause the entrance is directly on the trail.

Info Grotta del Tanaccio Civico Museo Archeologico di Camaiore

www.comune.camaiore.lu.it [email protected] www.luccaturismo.it

www.luccaterre.it

40 Grotta del Tanaccio Casoli- Camaiore (Lu)

Prehistoric cave

long the slopes of Monte Gevoli, peak of the southern Apuan Alps in the area of Camaiore, on the side of a Agreat rock that looks like a large cliff, there is the Grot- ta del Tanaccio, with its large entrance. Its main feature is the presence of a great calcium stone developed from stalactite that reminds of a stone throne. In the cave, were found tools and human bones of four different people of the Eneolithic; two were children. The cave can be reached by several trails from Camaiore.

Guided tours Tour routes Useful Information In Italian and English. Guided About 1 h. tours with an archaeologist for j- k- school children and groups. Tours have to be booked at Trekking gear is recommended. the Archaeological Museum of Camaiore.

41 u Educational activities are Alternatively, A12 Versilia exit, w Train station of Viareggio, organized for schools. then SS 357 Via Sarzanese to Turin-Genoa-Rome line. Capezzano Pianore then SP 1 in s The cave is an archaeolog- the direction of Camaiore, then d Lazzi-Vaibus, Viareggio-Os- ical site. Anyone causing SC in the direction of Casoli Tre pedale Versilia-Camaiore-Casoli damage to the cave will be Scolli. Walking on the trail to Foce line; daily service for Camaiore punished by the law. di San Rocchino and Monte Gab- and Casoli. beri; before the little church of San Rocchino turn left and follow How to get there the trail to the cave. a From north: A15 Parma-La From south: A11 Firenze-Lucca Spezia motorway, then A12 Vi- motorway, then A12, Viareggio areggio exit, then SP 1 in the di- exit, then SP 1 in the direction of rection of Camaiore, then SC in Camaiore, then SC in the direc- the direction of Casoli Tre Scolli. tion of Casoli Tre Scolli. Walking Walking on the trail to Foce di San on the trail to Foce di San Roc- Rocchino and Monte Gabberi; be- chino and Monte Gabberi; before fore the little church of San Roc- the little church of San Rocchino chino turn left and follow the trail turn left and follow the trail to the to the cave. cave.

42 and other preindustrial works along the Lombricese stream; the former Barsi ironworks.

Next stop for Toscana Underground

Antro del Corchia 12 The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 Buca di Castelvenere 18 Buca del Tasso 22 Grotta del Tambugione 26 Grotte della Penna 30 Roccia dei Pennati 34 The Surrounding Area e Giovanni; the Romanesque Grotta all’Onda 42 church of San Michele; Civico Mu- Grotta del Vento 50 At Camaiore (LU): the abbey of seo Archeologico (archaeological The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 San Pietro; the collegiate church museum); Museo di Arte Sacra The Mercury Mines 78 of Santa Maria Assunta; the pa- (religious art museum). At Candal- The Apuan Alps Archaeology rochial church of Santi Stefano la (LU): watermills, olive oil mills and Mining Structure 112

43 Grotta all’Onda

Grotta all’Onda Opening times Casoli - Camaiore (LU) The cave is always accessible, without ticket, because the entrance is directly on the trail. Info Civico Museo Archeologico di Camaiore

www.comune.camaiore.lu.it [email protected] www.luccaturismo.it

44 Grotta all’Onda Casoli - Camaiore (LU)

Cave of Naturalistic and Prehistoric Interest altitude 708 m

fter around one hour’s mo neanderthalensis) who about 170.000 years ago. walk along an easy left behind their flintstone Grotta all’Onda is not the ACAI marked path hunting tools and the bones only prehistoric dwelling that through the oak woods of of their catches; it was used you come across in the area Monte Matanna, you will as a seasonal dwelling by of the Lombricese stream: be able to make out the Homo sapiens, while the there are also others, such natural sound of small wa- farmers and shepherds of as the Bronze Age shelters, terfalls trickling down the the Neolithic period and the a medieval site and numer- outside walls of the Grotta Copper Age stayed here for ous works from the pre-in- all’Onda: a prehistoric cave, long periods. dustrial age. Currently there measuring around 40x60 The cave structure is also is work underway to make m, an ancient shelter for interesting in geological these sites into an archaeo- man, and today a subject terms, as it shows evidence logical and natural park. of scientific research. The of the most significant sedi- first inhabitants of the cave mentological and palaeocli- were the Neanderthals (Ho- matic events starting from

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian and English. Guided tours with two guides, a g j- k- naturalist and an archaeologist, for school children and groups. Trekking gear is recommended. Guided tours for the blind. Visits should be booked at the Civico Museo Archeologico (archaeology museum) in Camaiore.

45 The Lombricese stream in the valley u Educational activities are From here, follow the CAI marked Next stop organised for schools. route no. 2/112 to Grotta all’Onda. for Toscana Underground

s The cave is an archaeolog- w Viareggio railway station, Antro del Corchia 12 ical site. Anyone causing Turin-Genoa-Rome line. The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 damage to the cave will be Buca di Castelvenere 18 punished by the law. d Lazzi-Vaibus, Viareggio-Os- Buca del Tasso 22 pedale Versilia-Camaiore-Casoli Grotta del Tambugione 26 route; 39 trips a day for Camaiore, Grotte della Penna 30 How to get there 9 for Casoli and 2 for Tre Scolli. Roccia dei Pennati 34 Grotta del Tanaccio 38 From the north: A15 Par- a Grotta del Vento 50 ma-La Spezia motorway, contin- The Surrounding Area The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 ue on the A12 motorway and exit at Viareggio, then take the SP 1 At Camaiore (LU): the abbey of The Mercury Mines 78 road in the direction of Camaiore, San Pietro; the collegiate church The Apuan Alps Archaeology and the SC road in the direction of of Santa Maria Assunta; the pa- and Mining Structure 112 Casoli until you reach Tre Scolli. rochial church of Santi Stefano From here, follow the CAI marked e Giovanni; the Romanesque route no. 2/112 to Grotta all’Onda. church of San Michele; Civico Mu- Alternatively, exit the A12 motor- seo Archeologico (archaeological way at Versilia and take the SS museum); Museo di Arte Sacra 357 Via Sarzanese road to Capez- (religious art museum). zano Pianore. Then take the SP 1 At Candalla (LU): watermills, olive road in the direction of Camaiore, oil mills and other preindustri- and the SC road in the direction of al works along the Lombricese Casoli until you reach Tre Scolli. stream; the former Barsi iron- From here, follow the CAI marked works. route no. 2/112 to Grotta all’Onda. - From the south: A11 Flor- ence-Lucca motorway, continue on the A12 motorway and exit at Viareggio. Then take the SP 1 road in the direction of Camaiore, and the SC road in the direction of Casoli until you reach Tre Scolli.

46 Mill along the Lombricese stream

47 Grotta del Sassocolato

Grotta del Sassocolato Opening times Guided tours Castell’Azzara (GR) From 10th April to 10th Novem- In Italian and English. ber. Also open for special events. Info Tour routes Comune di Castell’Azzara There are two trails: Route 1: 45 min, easy; Unione dei Comuni Montani Route 2: 3 h, difficult. Amiata Grossetana

www.museidimaremma.it www.cm-amiata.gr.it www.castellazzaraonline.it

48 Grotta del Sassocolato Castell’Azzara (GR)

Cave of Naturalistic Interest altitude 900 m

rom the village of Castell’Azzara, follow the signs up towards Poggio delle Forche, a rocky spur clearly visible Ffrom the village; after walking around one kilometre, you will get to Grotta del Sassocolato, named after the numerous beautiful formations that descend the inside walls of the cave. It is a natural cavity of tectonic, marine and karstic origin. While the cave is mainly straight, in some places the level falls and rises significantly; to aid visitors, there are steps in these points. When you visit the cave you can learn something more about the underground world and, above all, some of its inhabitants. One of the features of the cave is the presence of a large colony of different species of bats which number 2000/2500 specimens in the summer. The cave has special personnel to look after the site, who also have the important task of preserving these creatures.

In order not to disturb the Services Useful Information underground wildlife, groups of visitors are limited to 15 people. g j- k- The cave can be visited with qualified guides. The tour can Trekking gear and potholing also be linked to excursions to equipment is recommended. other caves, mining galleries and Etruscan tombs. Telephone for information and booking.

49 u Educational activities on the follow the convenient asphalted d RAMA Grosseto bus ser- environment and the under- road (500 m). vice, Grosseto-Arcidosso-Cas- ground world are organised - From the Tyrhennian coast: fol- tell’Azzara route (it joins the for schools. low Pitigliano-Sorano-Castell’Az- Florence-Grosseto route and the zara or Grosseto-Arcidosso-S. Siena-Abbadia San Salvatore-Pi- s Please do not crowd the Fiora-Castell’Azzara; at Cas- ancastagnaio route), 2 trips per passageways or talk in a tell’Azzara, follow the convenient day. loud voice. asphalted road (500 m). - RAMA Grosseto bus service, - From the north: A1 motorway, Castell’Azzara-Pitigliano-Orbetel- n Please respect the visiting Chiusi exit. lo line or Castell’Azzara-Acqua- rules. - From the south: A1 motorway, pendente (Viterbo) route, 1 trip Orvieto exit. per day. How to get there w 45 km from the Chiu- si-Chianciano railway station, The Surrounding Area a Cassia SS 2 road, at Ponte Florence-Rome line. a Rigo take the turn off for Cas- 45 km from Orvieto railway sta- Villa La Sforzesca, Castell’Azzara tell’Azzara; from Castell’Azzara, tion. (GR); Parco Museo delle Acque

Castell’Azzara

50 (water park/museum), Santa Fiora (GR); Museo delle Miniere di mer- curio del Monte Amiata (Monte Amiata mercury mines museum), Santa Fiora (GR); Parco faunistico dell’Amiata (Amiata animal park), Arcidosso (GR).

Next stop for Toscana Underground

The Belverde Archaeology and Nature Park 64 The Siele Mine 74 The Cornacchino Mines 82 The Abbadia San Salvatore Mining Museum 92

Santa Fiora Panorama of Monte Amiata

51 Grotta del Vento

Grotta del Vento Opening times Loc. Grotta del Vento Vergemoli (LU) Every Sunday and all public holidays, week days from 1st April to 1st November and from 26th December Info to 6th January: Grotta del Vento Route 1: 10.00 am, 11.00 am, 12.00 pm, 2.00 pm, 3.00 pm, 4.00 pm, 5.00 pm, 6.00 pm; [email protected] Route 2: 11.00 am, 3.00 pm, 4.00 pm, 5.00 pm; www.grottadelvento.com Route 3: 10.00 am , 2.00 pm.

Parco Regionale delle Alpi Apuane Weekdays from 7th January to 31st March, from 2nd November to 24th December: www.parcapuane.it • [email protected] Route 1 only: Ufficio informazioni di Ghivizzano (LU) 10.00 am, 11.00 am, 12.00 pm, 2.00 pm, 3.00 pm, 4.00 pm, 5.00 pm, 6.00 pm.

52 Grotta del Vento Loc. Grotta del Vento Fornovolasco-Vergemoli (LU)

Cave of Naturalistic Interest altitude 642 m

rotta del Vento is sit- current since the 17th cen- switched on by sensors only uated in the province tury, as the cave was used when visitors are present. Gof Lucca, in one of the to keep food cool. Instead, These efforts have gained wildest parts of the Apuan exploration and systematic their just reward: the qual- Alps regional park. study of the cave dates from ity of the environment has The origin of its name, the beginning of the 20th been certified by the French meaning the windy cave, is century. association of tourist caves self-evident: the cave takes The cave was opened to the (ANECAT) and inserted in its name from the strong air public in 1966. Painstaking the “four star” category. currents that flow through efforts have always been it caused by the difference made to look for solutions between the outside and in- that can keep the extreme- side temperatures (there is a ly delicate microclimatic, constant inside temperature meteorological and bio- of +10.7 °C). logical balances unaltered: People have known of this for example, the lighting is

Guided tours Useful Information In Italian and English (all year); German (from April to October); j- k- French and Spanish (in summer) Photography is allowed during breaks in the tour; however, when there Tour routes are a lot of visitors, photography is not allowed. Use of tripods is banned. There are three easy trails: Disabled persons in wheelchairs can access the first 100 metres. Route 1: 1h, 700 m. For logistical and safety reasons, access is only permitted when there Route 2: 2h, 1500 m. are few visitors and disabled visitors can be accompanied. Route 3: 3h, 2200 m. Handicapped persons who do not use a wheelchair can access the whole of the first route. Services The cave has a constant temperature of +10.7°C, therefore we recommend that you bring suitable clothing (jumper, rubber-soled, b F l 5 sports shoes).

53 Vetricia plateau Calomini hermitage Le Panie

The Tour an extraordinary abundance est of limestone formations, of multi-coloured limestone many of which are generat- The brilliance of the bright formations (stalactites, ed by splashes and drops formations, the beauty and stalagmites, columns and of water falling on the sta- shades of the colours and shields). After going up a lagmites. The path climbs the extraordinary variety steep flight of steps you get along the vertical walls of an of morphological features to the edge of the 50-me- imposing shaft almost 90 make the Grotta del Vento a tre-deep “Baratro dei Gigan- metres high, which contains marvellous natural encyclo- ti” (Giants’ Chasm), where a mighty waterfall during paedia of the subterranean the second route starts. flooding till it comes to an world. You go through sy- You go down into the “Sa- extremely narrow subterra- phons, galleries smoothed la delle Voci” (Chamber of nean canyon. by water, chambers adorned Voices), where the echoes with “spaghetti” hanging create disturbing acoustic from the roof, alongside illusions, to carry on towards streams and lakes; you the “Salone dell’Acheronte” admire millenary stalag- (Hall of Acheron), where mites and stalactites until three small waterways form you reach a shaft of around a reasonably-sized under- 90 metres in the innermost ground river which foams part. and rushes through the There are three trails to vis- hall during periods of heavy it the cave, exploring three rainfall. On the way back, quite different parts; the you follow a gallery carpeted third, and most complete, is with small grey formations the longest trail in Italy. of hardened silt, reminiscent The first and flattest route of extensive fir woods. goes through a series of The third route adds a visit entrancing chambers with to an area rich in the pur-

54 Ponte del Diavolo Monte Forato Grotta del Vento entrance

u There are two open-air the Parma junction, then take the - a car or minibus service, leaving teaching routes, one on A15 motorway until just before La from the Barga-Gallicano station how the mineral forms Spezia, follow the A12 motorway at 9.15 am and returning at 2.00 were used in the past, and until the A11 motorway junction, pm (+€ 5.00 per person); the other on resurgenc- exit the A11 at Lucca est; then - a shuttle service reserved to es. Teachers are given take the SS 12 road to Ponte a groups of more than 20 people photographic materials Moriano, then follow the road to (+€ 4.50 per person). and detailed descriptions. Borgo a Mozzano-Gallicano, from At the entrance there is a here take the turning for Fornovo- permanent mineral and lasco-Grotta del Vento. The Surrounding Area fossil exhibition. - From Reggio Emilia: SS 63 road to Castelnovo ne’ Monti, Apuan Alps: Monte Forato, n Please respect the visiting then follow the signs to Ligon- Massiccio delle Panie, Vetricia rules. chio-Passo Pradarena-Piazza al plateau; Calomini hermitage, Serchio-Castelnuovo di Garfagna- Vergemoli (LU); picturesque area na-Gallicano, from here take the of San Pellegrinetto, Vergemoli How to get there turning for Fornovolasco-Grotta (LU); Ponte del Diavolo medieval del Vento. bridge in Borgo a Mozzano (LU). a From Lucca: SS 12 road to - From Genoa: A12 motorway, Ponte a Moriano, then follow the Viareggio-Camaiore junction and road to Borgo a Mozzano-Gallica- continue on the A11 motorway, Next stop no, from here take the turning for Lucca est exit; then take the SS for Toscana Underground Fornovolasco-Grotta del Vento. 12 road to Ponte a Moriano, then Antro del Corchia 12 - From Florence: A11 motorway, follow the road to Borgo a Moz- Altopascio exit; from here follow zano-Gallicano, from here take The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 the signs for Porcari-Marlia to the turning for Fornovolasco-Grot- Buca di Castelvenere 18 Ponte a Moriano, then follow the ta del Vento. Buca del Tasso 22 road to Borgo a Mozzano-Gallica- Grotta del Tambugione 26 no, from here take the turning for w 14 km from the Bar- Grotte della Penna 30 Fornovolasco-Grotta del Vento. ga-Gallicano railway station, Luc- Roccia dei Pennati 34 - From Forte dei Marmi: SP 13 ca-Aulla line. Grotta del Tanaccio 38 road to Castelnuovo di Garfagna- Grotta all’Onda 42 na, then follow the road to Galli- d There is no public transport The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 cano, from here take the turning that reaches the Grotta del Vento. The Mercury Mines 78 for Fornovolasco-Grotta del Vento. At the Grotta del Vento it is possi- The Apuan Alps Archaeology - From Milan: A1 motorway to ble to book: and Mining Structure 112

55 Grotta Giusti

Grotta Giusti Opening times Via Grotta Giusti, 1411 Open mornings and afternoons all year round. Monsummano Terme (PT)

Info Grotta Giusti Natural Spa Resort

www.grottagiustispa.com [email protected]

56 Grotta Giusti Monsummano Terme (PT)

Cave with Therapy Facilities

rotta Giusti formed thousands of years ago in the calm of the age-old park at Monsummano Terme. The third Glargest cave in Europe, it is so enchanting that the composer Giuseppe Verdi defined it “the eighth wonder of the world”. However, its beauty is not the only reason for guests to dedicate part of their time to it. Its three caverns form a real and proper natural Turkish bath – the temperature ranges from 24 °C in the Paradiso cavern, passing through Purgatorio to reach 34 °C in the Inferno cavern. The warm damp vapours, rich in mineral salts, favour a process of purification and detoxication which allows you to regain your psychological and physical balance, as well as giving you an immediate sensation of well-being. Inside the complex you can find an outdoor therapeutic spa pool (+35 °C) with a waterfall and hydromassage (open all year), a well-being centre, spa centre (mud therapy, ozonis- ing baths, inhalation cures, hydromassage).

Services Useful Information F t j- k-

The air temperature ranges from +24° to +34 °C. Guests have a changing room at their disposal; the tunic, dressing gown and flip-flops are provided by Grotta Giusti.

57 s Entrance is only permitted guests (booking required). In the to those using the spa fa- high season, 4 return trips per day. cilities. Medical contraindi- cations. The Surrounding Area

How to get there Museo della Città e del Territorio, town and territory museum in a A11 motorway, Montecatini Monsummano Terme (documents Terme exit; follow the signs for on the discovery and benefits of Monsummano Terme and then for the cave); Museo Leonardo da the Grotta Giusti Terme Hotel (2 Vinci, Vinci (FI); Parco di Collodi, km from Monsummano Terme). Pinocchio theme park and the Vil- la Garzoni gardens in Collodi-Pe- w 4.4 km from the Monte- scia (PT); Padule di Fucecchio (FI). catini-Monsummano railway station, Florence-Pisa line. Next stop for Toscana Underground d Lazzi bus service, Montecati- ni-Monsummano Terme route. Grotta Giusti 54 - From Montecatini Terme: shut- Grotta Maona 58 tle bus service for Grotta Giusti Grotte di Bagni Caldi 60

58 Vinci

Padule di Fucecchio

59 Grotta Maona

Grotta Maona Opening times Useful Information Via Maona, 23 From 1st April to 15th October: Montecatini Terme (PT) 9.00 am–12.00 pm; 3.00 pm- j- k- 6.00 pm. Info The cave cannot be accessed Grotta Maona Guided tours by wheelchair users or with In Italian and English. pushchairs. www.grottamaona.it [email protected] Tour route The cave has a constant www.comune.montecatini- There is an easy trail: 20 min. temperature of +15°C, therefore terme.pt.it we recommend that you bring www.grotte.toscana.it Services suitable clothing (rubber-soled shoes, jumper, waterproof g F jacket).

60 Grotta Maona Montecatini Terme (PT)

Cave of Naturalistic Interest

Giardini rotta Maona is worth a stop-off on the road that leads di Villa Garzoni from Montecatini Terme to the original old centre of the a Collodi Gtown, Montecatini Alto. Indeed, this millenary natural cave is the only one in Italy with two wells: from the entrance well you go down into the 20 m deep, 200 m long cavity, and, after going through galleries with an atmosphere similar to Dante’s Inferno, where nature and the trickling water have patiently designed cascades of stalactites and forests of stalagmites, you come back up into the sunlight from the second well, so you do not have to retrace your footsteps.

n Please respect the visiting d From Florence: Lazzi bus The Surrounding Area rules. service, direct route to Montecati- ni Terme. Museo Leonardo da Vinci, Vinci - From Montecatini Terme: Mon- (FI); Parco di Collodi, Pinocchio How to get there tecatini Alto bus, trips once an theme park and the Villa Garzoni hour, everyday. gardens in Collodi, Pescia (PT); a A11 motorway, Montecatini Montecatini spas. Terme exit; follow the signs for Montecatini Terme and then for Next stop Montecatini Alto. for Toscana Underground w Montecatini Terme railway Grotta Giusti 54 station. Grotta Maona 58 Grotte di Bagni Caldi 60

61 Grotte di Bagni Caldi

Grotte di Bagni Caldi Info Piazza San Martino, 11 Bagni di Lucca Terme J.V. & Hotel Bagni di Lucca (LU) www.termebagnidilucca.it [email protected]

62 Grotte di Bagni Caldi Bagni di Lucca (LU)

Cave with Therapy Facilities altitude 150 m

agni Caldi is an old village with a long spa tradition: it was frequented and loved by famous figures such as BLord Byron, Eugenio Montale and Henry James. Here, among woods of fir and chestnut trees, there are two natural steam caves, Grotta Grande and Grotta Paolina, named after Napoleon’s sister. Grotta Paolina is the smaller of the two, but also the most charming. As the internal temperature of the cave changes from one part of the body to another – it is warmer at torso level and lower at the extremeties – people with circulation problems can benefit from the positive effects of the waters without tiring their legs. The waters in the cave contain sulphur, bicarbonate and calcium and are indicated for curing a great deal of disorders, especially problems caused by rheumatism and stress.

Opening times Services Useful Information From March to January: mornings only. b g j- k- Also open in the afternoons during summer and for public holiday The water temperature is +54 and festivity weekends. °C, and the air temperature +38°/+45 °C. Medical assistance inside the spa centre.

63 Barga

s Entrance is only permitted to those using the way station, Pisa-Lucca-Aulla line. spa facilities. d Vaibus, Lucca-Bagni di Lucca-Abetone route, 4 trips per day, bus stop 500 m away. How to get there a From Lucca: Brennero SS 12 road in the direc- The Surrounding Area tion of Abetone; in Ponte a Serraglio, 24 km from Bag- ni di Lucca, take the road for the Bagni di Lucca spas. Museo Casa Pascoli, museum dedicated to the poet - From Florence: A11 Firenze-Mare motorway, Lucca Pascoli, Castelvecchio Pascoli-Barga (LU). exit, then Brennero SS 12 road in the direction of Abe- A few minutes away from Lucca you can find elegant, tone; in Ponte a Serraglio, 24 km from Bagni di Lucca, aristocratic villas: Villa Torrigiani Santini, Villa Reale take the road for the Bagni di Lucca spas. di Marlia, Villa Mansi, Villa Bernardini, Villa Grabau - From Milan: A1 motorway to Parma, then the A12 La and Villa Oliva. Spezia-Livorno motorway, at Viareggio take the link road for Lucca, Lucca exit, then Brennero SS 12 road in the direction of Abetone; in Ponte a Serraglio, 24 Next stop for Toscana Underground km from Bagni di Lucca, take the road for the Bagni di Lucca spas. Grotta Giusti 54 Grotta Maona 58 w 3.5 km from the Bagni di Lucca-Fornoli rail- Grotte di Bagni Caldi 60

64 Museo Casa Pascoli, Castelvecchio Pascoli

Villa Torrigiani Santini Villa Oliva

65 Parco Archeologico Naturalistico di Belverde

Parco Archeologico Opening times Guided tours Naturalistico di Belverde From July to September: 9.00 In Italian, English, German, Strada della Montagna am-1.00 pm and 4.00 pm-7.00 French, Spanish, Dutch. Belverde - Cetona (SI) pm (closed on Mondays). From October to June: upon res- Info ervation only, for groups of 10 Museo Civico people or more. per la Preistoria del Monte Cetona

[email protected] www.comune.cetona.siena.it www.terredisiena.it

66 The Belverde Archaeology and Nature Park Belverde - Cetona (SI)

Cave of Naturalistic and Prehistoric Interest altitude 550-600 m

ot far from the village of Cetona, you can visit the Bel- verde archaeological and nature park. Here you can unite Nthe pleasure of finding out about history and archaeology with immersing yourself in a practically uncontaminated landscape of tall ilex woods. An oasis that you can enjoy on foot, with the help of a guide, through corridors, halls, underground passages and swallow holes – all well equipped and illumi- nated by a light-activated electrical system. The cavities have formed in the blocks of travertine over thousands of years, and when you explore them, you really do take a step back into the past. Some of them were chosen as burial grounds and religious sites as archaeological research, which started in the first half of the 1900s and still goes on today, has shown. For example, there is evidence that Grotta Lattaia was used for religious purposes as votive objects from the Hellenistic period have been found here – reproductions of babies in swad- dling clothes, pottery shaped like breasts, miniature vases and

Tour routes Services Useful Information There are two easy trails: Route 1: 50 min, 800 m g F b o j- k- (Antro della Noce-Antro del Poggetto-Grotta di S. Francesco- We recommend that you wear amphitheatre-observatory-Riparo suitable clothing (comfortable, del Capriolo-the S. Maria in sports shoes). Belverde settlement); Route 2: 2h, 1600 m (Service centre-observatory-Muraglione- Riparo dei Carpini Riparo del Capriolo, continues as Route 1).

67 68 bronze coins. The belief that n Please respect the visiting Next stop if mothers drank the water rules. for Toscana Underground that drips from the walls Grotta del Sassocolato 46 while breastfeeding then its How to get there The Belverde Archaeology magical power would help and Nature Park 64 them produce more milk a A1 Florence-Rome motor- The Siele Mine 74 was still alive in the 1930s. way, Chiusi exit; continue on the The Cornacchino Mines 82 SS road until Cetona, then the SP The Abbadia San Salvatore Instead, Grotta di San Franc- road until you reach the Service Mining Museum 92 esco, the largest cave on the Centre, then the SC road (not as- The Santa Mustiola Catacombs 140 site, is named after Saint phalted) until the caves. The Labyrinth of Porsenna 148 Francis, who is said to have The Chiusi Museum 152 w 7 km from the Chiusi-Chi- stayed here. anciano Terme railway station, You can go through three Florence-Rome line. connected cavities on the path that leads to the Fran- d La Ferroviaria Italiana (Lfi) bus service until Cetona, Chiu- ciscan hermitage of Santa si-Cetona route. Maria: Antro della Noce, Antro del Poggetto and Tombetta della Strada; ancient traces The Surrounding Area of human presence have also Museo Civico Archeologico, ar- been found here. chaeological museum, Chian- Also linked to the park is the ciano Terme (SI); Museo Civico prehistory museum, the Mu- Archeologico, archaeological museum, Sarteano (SI); spa facili- seo Civico per la Preistoria ties at Chianciano Terme, Mon- del Monte Cetona, which tepulciano and San Casciano documents the different Bagni (SI); Castelluccio di Pienza (SI). Winged phases of human settle- Goddess, Chianciano ments in the territory, from Terme the Palaeolithic Age to the archaeological end of the Bronze Age. museum Chianciano Sarteano, Etruscan Tomb of the Castelluccio di Pienza Infernal Quadriga

69 un d ndergr o U

can a s o T un d ndergr o U

can a s o T

Parco Culturale - Parco Regionale delle Alpi Opening times delle Grotte di Equi Apuane From July to September: Saturday Equi Terme - Fivizzano (MS) and Sunday 10.30 am-7.00 pm; www.parcapuane.it from Monday to Friday 10.30 am- [email protected] 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm-7.00 pm. Info Open at night on the days around www.grottediequi.it 15th August. Centro servizi turistici del The caves are open in May and Comune di Fivizzano June, but we recommend that you phone the Comune di Fiviz- www.comune.fivizzano.ms.it zano tourist office for information [email protected] on opening times. The caves can be visited from October to April, but only upon reservation. 70 The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park Equi Terme - Fivizzano (MS)

Caves of Natural and Prehistoric Interest altitude 262 m

ou arrive at the Equi caves from Equi Terme, an old spa village in the Apuan Alps. Inside the park, you can enter Yone of the three cavities - la Buca, le Grotte or la Tec- chia; or follow the Solco di Equi trail along a natural canyon with insect-eating plants, to find a small burial cave called Tana della Volpe, or the fox’s den; or step back in time in the reconstruction, inside the archaeological park, of everyday prehistoric life and find out what life was like for our long- lost forefathers; in addition, it is also possible to take part in experimental archaeological activities.

Stone stele/statue from the Lunigiana area

Tour routes Guided tours Useful Information There are three easy trails: In Italian, English, German, Route 1 “Buca”: 20-25 min, French and Dutch. j- k- 500 m; Route 2 “Grotte”: 45-50 min, For school children and reserved We recommend that you wear 1300 m; parties only: guided tour of the suitable clothing (comfortable, Route 3 “Tecchia”: opening cave museum too. sports shoes). soon. Services b o

71 Buca and Grotte di Equi no human traces, have been cal research at the beginning of found inside the cave, as they the 1900s brought to light stone The itinerary starts at the Bu- have probably been taken and bone objects that belonged ca or hole, which was already away by the waters of the un- to Neanderthal hunters and not known in the 1700s. The path derground springs. just skeletons of wolves, foxes leads up to a terrace overlook- At present, the internal walk- and marmots, but also of ani- ing a vertical drop cleaved into way that links the Grotte to mals that are not to be found in the mountain, where various the Tecchia is currently being the area’s fauna today, such as species of birds, including completed. The outside path is the ursus speleus (cave bear), the golden eagle, build their steep with a vertical drop into lion and leopard. Instead, evi- nests. Then it continues into the Fagli brook. It is dangerous a labyrinth of rooms, galleries and we recommend that you Castello dell’Aquila, castle of the eagle and passageways with fossil do not follow it. formations. From the Buca you can access a cavity that is still in formation, Tecchia di Equi le Grotte, or the caves, adorned with stalactites, stalagmites An ancient shelter for men and and all sorts of natural forma- animals: objects and animal tions. There is also a “potholing remains tell the story of this part”, currently not open to the cave, which started 40,000 public, rich in karstic elements. years ago and continued until Only animal remains, and the Middle Ages. Archaeologi-

72 The Lucido valley The hamlet of Equi

dence of funeral rites and buri- How to get there Vinca (MS); Centro per la con- als from the Copper Age tell us servazione della biodiversità, a From Aulla and Fivizzano: biodiversity conservation centre that the cave was used later as take the “del Cerreto” SS 63 road, in Frignoli di Sassalbo (MS); Codi- a burial ground. at Cormezzano follow the Garfag- ponte Romanesque parochial nana SR 445 road to Gragnola, churches (MS), Casola Lunigiana then carry on towards Equi Terme. (MS), parochial church of San u Teaching activities are or- - A15 Parma-La Spezia motorway, Lorenzo, Minucciano (LU); the ganised on nature, history Aulla exit, then take the “del Cer- Equi spas (MS); Museo delle Stele and archaeology. reto” SS 63 road, at Cormezzano stone steles museum in Piagnaro follow the Garfagnana SR 445 castle, Pontremoli (MS). n Please respect the visiting road to Gragnola, then carry on rules. towards Equi Terme. - From Castelnuovo di Garfagnana: Next stop SR 445 road (for around 42 km), for Toscana Underground then turn left onto the SP 10 road Antro del Corchia 12 in the direction of Equi Terme. The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 w Equi Terme railway sta- Buca di Castelvenere 18 tion, Aulla-Lucca line. Buca del Tasso 22 Grotta del Tambugione 26 d Massa Carrara CAT bus ser- Grotte della Penna 30 vice, Aulla - Fivizzano, route no. Roccia dei Pennati 34 33, 10 trips per day. Grotta del Tanaccio 38 Grotta all’Onda 42 The Surrounding Area Grotta del Vento 50 The Mercury Mines 78 Centro di educazione ambientale, The Apuan Alps Archaeology environment education centre in and Mining Structure 112

73 16 The Siele Mine 22 The Montieri Archaeology and Mining Park 17 The Mercury Mines 23 The San Silvestro Archaeology and Mining Park 18 The Cornacchino Mines 24 The Island of Elba Mining Park 19 The Massa Marittima Mining Museum 25 The Gavorrano Mining and Nature Park 20 The Montecatini Val di Cecina Mining Museum 26 The Apuan Alps Archaeology and Mining Structure 21 The Abbadia San Salvatore Mining Museum

CARRARA 26 MASSA 17 PISTOIA LUCCA PRATO

PISA FIRENZE

LIVORNO

20 AREZZO SIENA

22 23 19

25 21 18 24 GROSSETO 16

74 Not even the best of artists has any conception that a single marble block does not contain within its excess, and that is only attained by hand that obeys the intellect. Michelangelo

Mines, Mining and Industrial Archaeology

here are mineral beds Instead, those who are not scattered all over Tus- lovers of the dark can take Tcany: from the Apuan part in excursions to open- Alps to the Metalliferous cast quarries and imposing Hills, from Mount Amiata to shafts that shoot up towards the island of Elba and the the sky, or wander around area of Campigliese. the remains of Etruscan Throughout the ages, our re- mines and “industrial” build- gion has been accompanied ings. by mining activities: Etrus- can ships, laden with red haematite extracted from the island of Elba, docked in the bay of Baratti; medieval castles were erected to protect the metalliferous areas. Today, you can relive the working day of a miner in the underground passages, some of which were still operating in the 20th century, on foot or on board a mini-train.

75 Centro visite

Miniera del Siele

Miniera del Siele Opening times Riserva Naturale del Pigelleto Open all year. Guided tours with ex-miners. Piancastagnaio (SI)

Info Parco Nazionale Museo Minerario del Monte Amiata

www.parcoamiata.com [email protected]

www.terresiena.it

76 The Siele Mine Pigelleto Natural Reserve Piancastagnaio (SI)

Archaeological Mining Area

ining on Monte Ami- middle of the 1800s. Siele Today the plant has been ata dates back to was a complex site compris- cleared up and partially re- Mancient times: the ing both mines (galleries and stored as part of Monte Ami- Etruscans used cinnabar shafts) and plants for work- ata’s historical and cultural (the mineral that mercury ing the mineral. In the early heritage. is extracted from) to paint 1900s, a village grew up earthenware and frescoes around the site, with houses, in tombs, digging up to 40 schools and a church. m into the earth to extract After a period of great exit. The largest deposits are pansion, also due to orders located in Santa Fiora, Cas- from the war industry, min- tell’Azzara, Abbadia San Sal- ing activity ceased in 1973: vatore and Piancastagnaio. it was the third largest mine In modern times, the Siele in the world after Almadén mine started to be used for (in Spain) and Abbadia San industrial ends towards the Salvatore (see pg. 60).

Tour route Useful Information There is an easy 6h trail (or 4h with return by bus). j- k-

Trekking gear is recommended.

77 The Tour u The inside of the former of- w Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, fices of the Siele mine hosts Grosseto and Orvieto Scalo rail- The Siele mine is inside the classrooms and teaching way stations. Continue from here Pigelleto natural reserve labs. by bus. (“pigello” is the name the d The nearest bus stop to the people of Amiata give to the How to get there reserve is at Saragiolo, in the mu- white fir, a majestic tree that nicipality of Piancastagnaio. a Cassia SS 2 road to Pian- - From Orvieto Scalo: SIRA bus can reach heights of 50 m). castagnaio; then follow the signs service (this takes you to Saragi- The walking trail crosses the for Castell’Azzara, Santa Fiora and olo without having to change). reserve until it arrives at the Riserva Naturale del Pigelleto (the - From Chiusi: La Ferroviaria Ital- mining village, where you signs for the reserve are brown). iana (LFI) bus service to Bisarca; - From the Tyrhennian coast: continue from here with the RAMA can visit the cinnabar pro- follow the route Pitigliano-Sora- bus service to Saragiolo. cessing plant and the min- no-Castell’Azzara or Grosseto-Ar- - From Grosseto: RAMA bus ser- ers’ houses. cidosso-S. Fiora-Castell’Azzara; vice to Saragiolo. then follow the signs for the Riser- - From Siena and Florence: RAMA va Naturale del Pigelleto (the signs bus service to Saragiolo. for the reserve are brown).

78 The Surrounding Area

Villa La Sforzesca, Castell’Azzara (GR); Parco Museo delle Acque, water park/museum, Santa Fiora (GR); Museo delle Miniere di mer- curio del Monte Amiata, Monte Amiata mercury mines museum, Santa Fiora (GR).

Next stop for Toscana Underground

Grotta del Sassocolato 46 The Belverde Archaeology and Nature Park 64 The Cornacchino Mines 82 The Abbadia San Salvatore Mining Museum 92

79 Miniere dell’Argento vivo

Miniere dell’argento vivo Parco Regionale Opening times Via Nord, 27A delle Alpi Apuane Morning and afternoon. An an- Levigliani di Stazzema (LU) nual calendar of the opening www.parcapuane.it days can be seen on the website Info [email protected] www.antrocorchia.it; opening on Miniere dell’argento vivo request only on days not marked www.versiliainfo.com on the calendar. [email protected] www.luccaterre.it www.antrocorchia.it

80 The Mercury Mines Levigliani di Stazzema (LU)

Mines

he ancient Mercury Mines, in the area of Levigliani di Stazzema, are the most ancient in Northern Tuscany, Tused since the Middle Ages to obtain the red pigment used in the grand ducal dyeing houses of Florence. The minerals mostly extracted were cinnabar and pyrite, together with natively liquid mercury, a unique feature, as this material was usually obtained form the manufacturing of cinnabar. The guided tour is about 1 hour on an equipped trail of about 800 meters, discovering the ancient veins, from the “Roman Mine” to the longer “Cavetta”. Different sulphides of mercury, zinc, iron and bismuth, cinnabar and metacinnabar can be admired, as far as really rare minerals such as grumiplucite, a new mineral kind, here recently found and illustrated for the first time.

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian, English, German, French, Spanish b j- k-

Tour routes - Inside temperature is about Total length: 600 m. 14° C Total time, with stops: about 1 h - We recommend to wear rubber-soled shoes and a sweater

81 How to get there w 16 km from the Forte w 8 km from the Forte dei dei Marmi railway station on the Marmi railway station on the Museum Genoa-Pisa line. Genoa-Pisa line. a From Forte dei Marmi: Ma- d Vaibus, Seravezza-Casteln- d Vaibus, Pietrasanta-Ser- rina SP, then Arni SP road in the uovo di Garfagnana line. avezza-Azzano line. direction of Castelnuovo di Garf- agnana to Levigliani di Stazzema. Archaeological and Mining Area - A12 Genoa-Livorno motorway, The Surrounding Area Versilia exit; then Marina SP and a SS1 Aurelia to Querceta, Arni SP road in the direction of then Marina SP to Seravezza, then The Monte Corchia Marble Mines Castelnuovo di Garfagnana to SC della Montagna to Pieve della of Levigliani di Stazzema (LU); Levigliani di Stazzema. Cappella. several trails in Apuan Alps Re- - SS 1 Aurelia to Querceta di Ser- - A12 Genova-Rosignano motor- gional Park. avezza, then Marina SP and Arni way, Versilia exit, Marina SP and SP road in the direction of Castel- SC della Montagna to Pieve della nuovo di Garfagnana to Levigliani Cappella. di Stazzema. - From Castelnuovo di Garfagna- - From Castelnuovo di Garfagna- na: SP 13 and Marina SP to Ser- na: SP 13 to Levigliani di Stazze- avezza, then SC della Montagna ma. to Pieve della Cappella.

82 Next stop for Toscana Underground

Antro del Corchia 12 The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 Buca di Castelvenere 18 Buca del Tasso 22 Grotta del Tambugione 26 Grotte della Penna 30 Roccia dei Pennati 34 Grotta del Tanaccio 38 Grotta all’Onda 42 Grotta del Vento 50 The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 The Apuan Alps Archaeology and Mining Structure 112

83 Miniere del Cornacchino

Miniere del Cornacchino Guided tours n Please respect the visiting Cornacchino Upon reservation rules. Castell’Azzara (GR) Useful Information How to get there Info Miniere del Cornacchino j- k- a SS 2 Cassia, Località Ponte Località Cornacchino a Rigo detour for Castell’Azzara; Castell’Azzara (GR) Educational activities on the from Castell’Azzara paved road environment and the underground (500 metres). [email protected] world are organised for schools. - From Tyrrhenian coast: direction www.castellazzaraonline.it Pitigliano-Sorano-Castell’Azzara www.museidimaremma.it s Please do not crowd the or Grosseto-Arcidosso-S.Fio- passageways or talk in a ra-Castell’Azzara; from Castell’Az- www.parcoamiata.com loud voice. zara paved road (3.500 metres).

84 The Cornacchino Mines Castell’Azzara (GR)

Mines

he Cornacchino Mine, on the southern slopes of the volcanic Monte Amiata, in the area of Castell’Azzara, Ttakes its name from Cornalino, or Cornalina, a coloured silicon stone really wanted from Etruscans and Greeks. The mine, which was part of a cinnabar vein, was opened from 1877 to 1919 and it is considered one of the worst mine of the Amiata area: in its very narrow galleries, from which the material was extracted only by hands, children and women were often employed to enter and dig in the small tunnels. Today, galleries have been recovered and can be visited in total safety. They can be reached from a trail that starts from Località Quercia Gobba and arrives to the two mining galleries, known as Galleria Ritorta, through 500 meters of forest.

- From north: A1 motorway, Chi- ze-Grosseto and Siena-Abbadia Mines, Santa Fiora (GR); Parco usi exit. San Salvatore-Piancastagnaio faunistico dell’Amiata, animal - From south: A1 motorway, Or- line), 2 trips per day. park, Arcidosso (GR). vieto exit. - Rama Grosseto bus, Castell’Az- zara-Pitigliano-Orbetello or Cas- w 45 km from Chiusi-Chi- tell’Azzara-Acquapendente (VT) Next stop anciano railway station, Flor- lines, 1 tri per day. for Toscana Underground ence-Rome line. 45 km from Orvieto railway sta- The Surrounding Area Grotta del Sassocolato 46 tion The Belverde Archaeology Villa la Sforzesca, Castell’Azzara and Nature Park 64 d Rama Grosseto bus, Gros- (GR); Parco Museo delle Acque The Siele Mine 74 seto-Arcidosso-Castell’Azzara (water park/museum), Santa Fiora The Abbadia San Salvatore line (connected with the Firen- (GR); Monte Amiata Mercury Mining Museum 92

85 Museo della Miniera di Massa Marittima

Museo della Miniera Opening times di Massa Marittima Open mornings and afternoons all year round. Via Corridoni Summer: also open at night. Massa Marittima (GR) Closed on Mondays.

Info Servizio Musei Cooperativa Colline Metallifere (prenotazioni, visite guidate)

www.coopcollinemetallifere.it [email protected]

86 The Massa Marittima Mining Museum The Grosseto Metalliferous Hills Technological and Archaeological Park Massa Marittima (GR) altitude 400 m

ou can get to the Museo della Miniera mining museum, housed in the heart of the galleries that bore around 700 Ym into the travertine of the hill above the historical centre of the town, on foot in just a few minutes from the cathedral square in Massa Marittima. These galleries, in part natural and in part dug during the Middle Ages to use the stone for building work, were extended during the Second World War and used by the local population as air raid shelters. It was former miners themselves who set up the museum to recreate their working environment: from the wood deposit needed to reinforce the galleries to the explosives deposit, from the canteen supervisor’s cabin to the inclined shafts and the ore chutes. In some stretches the various reinforcement systems can be seen: from the classic wood reinforcements to those using metallic net, to brick walls with planks of wood between concrete ashlar. The working methods have also been reconstructed: the “filling” method, that is, excavating the

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian, English and German. b g j- k- Tour route There is an easy trail: 1h, 700 m. For logistical reasons, it is not We recommend that you bring possible to visit the inclined shaft suitable clothing also in summer or the miners’ canteen. (anorak, sweater). The miner’s hat is provided by the management at the mine entrance.

87 The isle of Elba seen from Serrabottini

mineral, and then filling the using the joint mining mu- It is possible to book guided tours part just emptied at the same seum ticket, it is possible in Massa Marittima and the surrounding area to discover medi- time, and the “collapsing the to visit the Museo di Arte e eval storehouses, underground roof” method, that is, by tak- Storia delle Miniere mining passages and shafts at the Museo ing down the reinforcements art and history museum, della Miniera mining museum: and therefore making part of again in Massa Marittima: Parco dei Pozzini Medievali, medieval shafts park; the Serrabotti- the gallery collapse once the with wood tools, pick axes, ni archaeological and mining trail; extraction stage has finished. acetylene lamps, helmets, Caverne della Camilletta (stone There is also room for nu- wooden clogs, boots and extraction); passageway under merous tools and machines history of the mine planning Cassero Senese; Galleria della Bi- fora (artificial cavity consisting of donated by the mining com- techniques. a gallery, a shaft and a room dug panies and the miners them- in the Middle Ages); Forni dell’Ac- selves: wagons for transport- u Special activities are organ- cesa fusion plants (building com- ing the workers and material, ised for children in summer. plex for metallurgical production used in modern times); Marsilia- excavators and pneumatic s It is forbidden to take off na-Pian del Lago drainage gallery; drills. helmets and stray from the Cavernette del Castello di Perolla With a separate ticket, or guide during the visit. (rock settlement of medieval ori- Caverna della Camilletta

88 Massa Marittima

gin comprising 30 small caverns Aurelia SS 1 road in the direction Next stop on different levels); Grotta Prato of Grosseto, Follonica est exit; for Toscana Underground and Grotta Spinosa (karstic cavi- then follow the signs for Massa ties used during the Copper Age Marittima. The San Silvestro Archaeology as burial places); Grotta Verde and Mining Park 100 (karstic cavity with several cham- w Follonica railway station, The Gavorrano Mining bers); Grotta and Dolina del Frate Pisa-Rome line. and Nature Park 108 (karstic cavity that opens up in a The Fonti dell’Abbondanza collapse doline with a waterway d RAMA FMF bus service, Gallery 144 inside). Follonica-Massa Marittima route The Montecatini Val di Cecina (1 trip every hour); Siena-Massa Mining Museum 88 Marittima (3-4 trips per day). The Montieri Archaeology How to get there and Mining Park 96 a From the north: A12 The Surrounding Area Genoa-Livorno motorway, Rosig- nano exit; then the Aurelia SS 1 Museo del ferro e della ghisa, iron road, Follonica est exit; then fol- and cast iron museum, Follonica low the signs for Massa Marittima. (GR); Porta del Parco Minerario, - From the south: Rome-Civi- mining park, Monterotondo Mar- tavecchia motorway; then the ittimo (GR).

89 Museo delle Miniere di Montecatini Val di Cecina

Museo delle Miniere di Info Opening times Montecatini V.C. Museo delle Miniere di Montecatini From 1st February to Easter: Sun- - Centro di documentazione Val di Cecina days 3.00 pm-6.00 pm. Piazza Garibaldi, 1 From Easter to 2nd November: Montecatini Val di Cecina (PI) www.volterratur.it Saturdays, Sundays and public - Area e strutture minerarie Comune di Montecatini holidays 11.00 am-1.00 pm and Loc. La Miniera Val di Cecina 3.00 pm-7.00 pm; from Wednes- Montecatini Val di Cecina (PI) day to Friday 3.00 pm-7.00 pm. www.comune.montecatini.pi.it Rest of the year: upon reservation [email protected] only.

www.pisaunicaterra.it

90 The Montecatini Val di Cecina Mining Museum Montecatini Val di Cecina (PI)

Archaeological Mining Area altitude 510 m

he mining area in the Val di Cecina has a long industrial tradition. The mines – which were operative until 1907 T– were exploited by the Etruscans, the Medici and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany; they had their heyday in 1888 when the Società Montecatini was established (this then became Montedison), named after the town. The Museo delle Miniere mining museum, housed in the 14th-century Palazzo Pretorio, bears witness not only to the industrial civilisation but also the social rights won by the miners: in the town of Montecatini Val di Cecina, in the mid-1800s regulations were drawn up for young workers, assistance was given to widows and orphans, teaching was guaranteed for the miners’ children and a welfare fund and school for girls were set up. The museum’s document centre houses the historic archive of the activities that made Caporciano the richest copper mine in Europe between 1827 and 1907: publications on the

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian, English and French. b g 5 j- k- Tour routes There are two easy trails: The management provides a Visit 1, galleries: 20 min, For logistical reasons, only the helmet and waterproof jacket for 100 m; first part of the gallery can be the gallery visit. Visit 2, mining area: 45 min, visited. 1100 m.

91 underground resources and the Muraglione dam, built The Surrounding Area administrative papers (wage for the mine’s water require- Museums and archaeological ar- registers, records, corre- ments. ea, Volterra (PI); Museo della Ge- spondence) and technical otermia, geothermal museum and documentation (maps and geothermal area, Larderello (PI); gallery profiles, drawings of u There are teaching labora- Rocca Sillana, fortress, Poma- tories on the mining profes- rance (PI); Museo Casa Bicocchi machines, equipment and sions. museum, Pomarance (PI); Val di buildings). Cecina nature reserves. In addition, the museum al- s Please respect the mining so gives an overview of the museum regulations. Next stop great many underground for Toscana Underground resources Val di Cecina has, How to get there and their uses: copper, rock The Massa Marittima salt, the snow-white stone a From the north: A1 motor- Mining Museum 84 alabaster, lignite and the sul- way, Scandicci exit; FI-PI-LI main The Montieri Archaeology road to the Pontedera exit; then and Mining Park 96 phur springs. It is possible the SR 439 road in the direction The San Silvestro Archaeology to see the splendid mosaics of Volterra. and Mining Park 100 made using chalcedony (a A12 motorway, Rosignano exit; The Gavorrano Mining variety of microcrystalline then the SR 68 road in the direc- and Nature Park 108 tion of Volterra. The Fonti dell’Abbondanza quartz) and the museum’s - From the south: Aurelia SS 1 Gallery 144 rich collection of minerals. road, Cecina exit, then the SR 68 The visitor trail also includes road in the direction of Volterra. the Caporciano mining ar- w From Cecina to Saline di ea – with the shaft known Volterra, 4 trips per day. as Alfredo (the main copper extraction site), the mine d CPT bus service: Volter- entrance (with the admin- ra-Montecatini route, 5 trips per day; istration offices, the inclined - Sita bus service: Cecina-Saline shafts and the galleries) and di Volterra route, 6 trips per day.

Muraglione dam Montecatini Val di Cecina, bell tower 92 Montecatini Val di Cecina, Palazzo Pretorio 93 Museo Minerario di Abbadia San Salvatore

Museo Minerario Comune di Abbadia San Opening times di Abbadia San Salvatore Salvatore From 15th June to 1st November Piazzale R. Rossaro, 2 Ufficio turistico and for the Easter and Christmas Abbadia San Salvatore (SI) festivities and public holiday www.terresiena.it weekends: every day, 9.30 am- Info 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm-6.30 pm. Consorzio Terre di Toscana Open on request only at other times of the year. www.terreditoscana.net [email protected]

94 The Abbadia San Salvatore Mining Museum Abbadia San Salvatore (SI) altitude 820 m

he Parco Museo Minerario di Abbadia San Salvatore mining park and museum is located in the Monte Ami- Tata mining area which for a long time was one of the most important cinnabar (the mineral that mercury is extracted from) deposits in the world. Today, the park and museum contain much evidence of the area’s industrial past, remem- bering its former well-being, but also the sacrifice, struggles and suffering. The Museo Minerario mining museum, housed in the old clock tower building, hosts a rich collection of minerals, equipment, work tools and photographs that tell the story of mercury and of the communities whose stories are closely linked to it: from the Neolithic populations, the Etruscans and the Romans, to the modern age. It is possible to visit the inside of a gallery depicting the miners’ working environment on board a mini-train.

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian, English and German. b g j- k-

There is no access to the gallery at this moment in time.

95 How to get there d LFI-RAMA bus service, Ab- (SI); Rocca di Radicofani fortress, badia San Salvatore-Chiusi Scalo southern extreme of the Val d’Or- a Cassia SS 2 road, follow route. cia (SI); Parco Museo delle acque, the directions for Abbadia San - RAMA bus service, Abbadia San water park/museum, Santa Fiora Salvatore. Salvatore-Grosseto route. (GR); Museo delle Miniere di mer- - A1 motorway, Chiusi-Chian- curio del Monte Amiata, Monte ciano exit, then the Cassia SS Amiata mercury mines museum, 2 road, follow the directions for The Surrounding Area Santa Fiora (GR); Parco faunistico Abbadia San Salvatore. dell’Amiata, animal park, Arcidos- Museo di oggetti sacri, museum so (GR). w 25 km from the Chiu- of religious artefacts, Abbadia San si-Chianciano railway station, Salvatore (SI); Rocca di Tenten- Rome-Florence line. nano fortress, Castiglione d’Orcia

Rocca di Tentennano fortress 96 Next stop for Toscana Underground

Grotta del Sassocolato 46 The Belverde Archaeology and Nature Park 64 The Siele Mine 74 The Cornacchino Mines 82

Rocca di Radicofani fortress 97 Parco Archeominerario di Montieri

Parco Archeominerario Info Parco Tecnologico e di Montieri - Ufficio turistico di Montieri Archeologico La porta del Parco è situata delle Colline Metallifere presso il Teatro Comunale di [email protected] Grossetane Boccheggiano - Teatro Comunale di Piazza Dante, 35 - 58100 Via Tasso, 3 Boccheggiano Grosseto Boccheggiano (GR) [email protected] parcominerario@provincia. grosseto.it www.parcocollinemetallifere.it

www.terresiena.it

98 The Montieri Archaeology and Mining Park The Grosseto Metalliferous Hills Technological and Archaeological Park Boccheggiano (GR)

Archaeological Mining Area altitude 820 m

he history of the ter- as the extraction and pro- until the last century. After ritory of Montieri cessing activities. copper mining was ended, T(Mons Aeris, copper In the 1500s, Vanoccio Bi- in various mines the era mountain) is embedded in ringuccio of Siena ran a of extracting pyrite began. its deposits of copper, iron, foundry for iron along the One of these mines was the lead and silver. Although ex- Merse river. In the 1600s, Miniera di Campiano, which cavation of these minerals Giovanni Arduino, the great closed down in 1994.Today has profoundly altered the Venetian geologist, started the only underground rich- landscape of woods and digging for minerals and es that are exploited in the streams with mines and built some foundries for municipality of Montieri are foundries, the area still re- the production of copper the sources of geothermal tains its beauty. and vitriol (iron sulphate) in energy in the area of Travale. The medieval castles of Cagnano-Carbonaie, by a Montieri, Gerfalco, Travale branch of the river Merse. and Boccheggiano were Boccheggiano defended its built to protect the copper mining ways for a long time, and silver deposits as well continuing to extract copper

Opening times Guided tours Useful Information Open all year round, on request In Italian and English. The only. price varies for single visitors j- k- and for groups. Telephone for information.

Tour route There is an easy 1000 m trail.

99 Le Roste up and roasted in the open air. How to get there It is also possible to visit the a From Grosseto/Livorno: If you go along the Massa water draining galleries un- Aurelia SS 1 road, Scarlino exit; Marittima-Siena provincial der the remains of the enor- continue on the SS 439 road in road, on the stretch in the mous red heaps. the direction of Massa Marittima; municipality of Montieri that at Pian dei Mucini follow the SS 441 road in the direction of Siena. follows the River Merse you Ancient Mines in Poggio A few kilometres after Gabellino can see numerous remains Mutti there is a fork for Montieri; follow of plants for extracting and the River Merse until you reach processing copper: the Not far away, just a little to the archaeological mining site which can be seen on the left. mines, shafts, roste (large the north, near Gerfalco, and - From Siena: SS 441 Massa Mar- piles of red-coloured slag), more precisely in Poggio ittima-Siena road; follow the River the washing plants and the Mutti, we recommend ex- Merse until you reach the archae- telpher for transporting the cursions among the ancient ological mining site which can be seen on the right. metal. and medieval copper, lead You can follow the whole wa- and silver mineral extraction w Follonica railway station, ter-metal process: from the sites, so you can learn about Rome-Genoa line. Merse mine, where the min- the geological features, the eral was extracted, washed methods for singling out and crushed, you carry on the deposits, the extraction towards the river where the methods and organisation copper was transported on a of mining work in the pre-in- decauville railway to be piled dustrial age.

100 The Surrounding Area Next stop for Toscana Underground Museo del ferro e della ghisa, iron and cast iron museum, Follonica The Massa Marittima (GR); Museo di Arte e Storia delle Mining Museum 84 Miniere, museum of the art and The Gavorrano Mining history of mining, Massa Maritti- and Nature Park 108 ma (GR); Porta del Parco Miner- The Fonti dell’Abbondanza ario, mining park in Monterotondo Gallery 144 Marittimo (GR).

Abbey of San Galgano 101 Parco Archeominerario di San Silvestro

Parco Archeominerario Opening times di San Silvestro In June and September: mornings and afternoons, Via San Vincenzo, 34 B every day except Mondays. Loc. Temperino - Open every day in July and August (also sometimes Campiglia Marittima (LI) open at night). From October to May: Saturday and Sunday morn- Info ings and afternoons only; on week days for groups - Parchi della Val di Cornia and schools upon reservation only. Closed from 8th to 26th December. www.parchivaldicornia.it The days when the park is open may change from year [email protected] to year. For information telephone +39 0565 226445. www.valdicorniaturismo.it

102 The San Silvestro Archaeology and Mining Park Loc. Temperino - Campiglia Marittima (LI)

Archaeological Mining Area

mongst the lush vegetation in the San Silvestro park, we come across many paths linking archaeological and min- Aing history from Etruscan, medieval and contemporary times. At the entrance to the park you can visit the Miniera del Temperino mine, used in Etruscan and modern times, or take the Via delle Ferruzze and see the remains of the mining railway bridge from the beginning of the 1900s, the Buca della Faina Etruscan mine, and many more shafts and open-cast quarries. From Via delle Ferruzze you can go off on Via dei Filoni Porfirici that climbs up the slopes of Poggio all’Aione until it reaches one of the peaks. Here you can stop off and let your gaze wander over the Cornia river plain to the sea. If you continue on Via dei Lanzi, you arrive at the medieval mining village of Rocca San Silvestro: in the castle there are still the old ovens for baking bread, oil mills, shops, houses, reservoirs and the nobleman’s house. Once you have gone through the Valle dei Manienti, with its remains of medieval mines and ancient marble quarries, you

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian, English and German. b F t o g j- k-

We recommend that you wear For logistical and safety reasons, trekking gear. access is reserved to the Museo Mineralogico e Archeominerario, the Museo della Storia Sociale dei Minatori and the miners’ mini-train that goes through the Lanzi-Temperino gallery.

103 reach the “Etruscan Mines” workers’ village built at the beginning of the 1900s. If you want to go as far as Campiglia Marittima, follow Via delle Fonti, which takes its name from the remains of the ancient aqueduct on arches that provided the town of Campiglia Marittima with water until not long ago. Inside the park, you can also find the Museo Mineralogico e Archeominerario (Mineral, archaeological and mining museum), which displays materials from the excavations of Rocca di San Silves- tro as well as a collection of minerals from the area on display. Starting in July 2006, a train will take visitors through a mining gallery from the exit of the Temperino mine to Valle dei Lanzi, which Rocca di San Silvestro looks down onto. In addition, it will be possible to visit the miners’ social history and mining machines museum in Pozzo Earle.

104 s Please respect the rules in d Parchi bus service (ATM), in force for protected areas. spring from Tuesday to Sunday upon reservation.

Tour routes The Surrounding Area There are eight trails: 1. Miniera del Temperino mine: Parco costiero di Rimigliano coast- 40 min, 360 m, easy; al park, San Vincenzo (LI); Parco 2. Lanzi-Temperino gallery (open costiero della Sterpaia coastal ing in July 2006): 20 min, 980 park, Piombino (LI); Parco naturale m, with miners’ mini-train, di Montioni natural park, Suvereto easy; (LI); Parco forestale di Poggio Neri 3. Via del Temperino: 30 min, forest park, Sassetta (LI). easy; 4. Via delle Ferruzze: 1h 30 min, difficult; Next stop 5. Via dei Lanzi: 1h 40 min, me- for Toscana Underground dium; 6. Via dei Filoni Porfirici: 1h, dif- The Massa Marittima ficult; Mining Museum 84 7. Via dei Manienti: 1h 30 min, The Gavorrano Mining difficult; and Nature Park 108 8. Via delle Fonti: 1h, easy. The Fonti dell’Abbondanza Gallery 144 The Island of Elba Mining Park 104 How to get there The Baratti and Populonia Archaeology and Mining Park 124 a Aurelia SS 1 road, San Vin- cenzo nord, San Vincenzo sud, Pi- ombino-Campiglia Marittima exit and follow the signs for Campiglia Marittima. w 10 km from Campiglia Marittima railway station, Rome- Genoa-Turin line.

105 Parco Minerario dell’Isola d’Elba

Parco Minerario Opening times dell’Isola d’Elba Spring, summer: mornings and Via Magenta, 26 afternoons. Rio Marina (LI) Autumn, winter: on request only.

Info Parco Minerario dell’Isola d’Elba

www.parcominelba.it [email protected] www.visitelba.it

106 The Island of Elba Mining Park Rio Marina (LI)

Archaeological Mining Area

he park offers a great (Rio Marina), the Museo dei two guided tours in Rio Ma- deal of enticing ways Minerali “Alfeo Ricci” miner- rina: Tto discover the “land al museum (Capoliveri) and - “Cercando i Minerali” of iron”: trails on foot or by the Museo Archeologico del (Looking for Minerals): a mountain bike in the silent Distretto Minerario mining visit to a mining site with Valle dei Mulini; a trail in the district archaeological mu- the possibility to look for, Ginevro underground gal- seum (Rio nell’Elba) which keep and collect samples lery in Capoliveri, dug into help you to understand of minerals; the rocks and without any – with collections of min- - “Trekking in Miniera” (Trek- wood supports; excursions erals, archaeological finds, king in the Mines): visit to to the open-cast quarries in reconstructions of the orig- the main mining sites. Rio Marina and Rio Albano. inal mines, films and photo- And, to round off the visit, we graphs – the history of this recommend that you stop off island: from the Copper Age at the Museo dei Minerali e to the Middle Ages, to the dell’Arte Mineraria minerals present day. and art of mining museum In addition, there are also

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian, English and German. g o j- k- Tour routes There are three easy trails. Trekking gear is recommended.

107 How to get there In high season it is advisable to book. v Piombino is the nearest port. The island of Elba is connected to a Genoa-Livorno motorway, the mainland by the Toremar and Rosignano exit; continue on the Moby Lines ferry companies. In Livorno-Grosseto main road to the low season, there are 15 trips Venturina. From here you can a day. From May to September reach Piombino in a few minutes. there is a trip every half hour. The - Bologna-Florence-Pisa-Livorno crossing lasts around 40 min for motorway, Rosignano exit; con- Rio Marina, and 1h for Portofer- tinue on the Livorno-Grosseto raio. With the Toremar hydrofoil main road to Venturina. From here you can reach the port of Cavo in you can reach Piombino in a few 15 min. minutes.

108 - Rome-Grosseto motorway, con- The Surrounding Area Next stop tinue on the Aurelia main road un- for Toscana Underground til the Venturina-Isola d’Elba exit. I Mulini Napoleonic villa, Porto- ferraio (LI); Pisan tower (XII cent.), The Massa Marittima w Connecting trains for Pi- Marciana Marina (LI); Castello de- Mining Museum 84 ombino Marittima from Campiglia gli Appiani, Marciana (LI). The San Silvestro Archaeology station, on the Genoa-Rome line. and Mining Park 100 The Gavorrano Mining and Nature Park 108 The Baratti and Populonia Archaeology and Mining Park 124 The Fonti dell’Abbondanza Gallery 144

109 Parco Area estrattiva delle Rocce Ravi-Marchi

Parco Minerario Comune di Gavorrano Opening times Naturalistico di Gavorrano Summer: open mornings and af- Loc. Ex Bagnetti Parco Tecnologico e ternoons every day. Also open at Gavorrano (GR) Archeologico night on Saturdays, Sundays and delle Colline Metallifere when there are performances at Info Grossetane the Teatro delle Rocce theatre. Piazza Dante, 35 - 58100 Spring and autumn: open Satur- Parco Minerario Naturalistico di Grosseto day and Sunday mornings and Gavorrano afternoons only. During the week, parcominerario@provincia. open for groups upon reservation. www.parcominerario.it grosseto.it Winter: Sunday mornings and [email protected] www.parcocollinemetallifere.it afternoons only. During the week, open for groups upon reservation.

110 The Gavorrano Mining and Nature Park The Grosseto Metalliferous Hills technological and archaeological park Loc. Ex Bagnetti-Gavorrano (GR)

Archaeological Mining Area altitude 234 m

few kilometres away from the Gulf of Follonica, on the slopes of Monte Calvo, one of the most important pyrite A mines in Europe was still active until a few decades ago. Nowadays, the whole mining basin of Gavorrano, the old buildings and stone quarries have been restored and converted into the large Parco di Gavorrano museum complex. The complex is divided into two main areas: Parco delle Rocce, with the gallery museum and theatre, and the Ravi-Marchi mining area. In order to relive a miner’s working day, you can venture into the 20th-century mine, which today is a museum: you go from the changing rooms to the lamp room, and then descend underground. Here you can see the explosives store, with the equipment and material for blowing up the rocks, and the gallery reinforcement systems. The journey is made even more exciting thanks to the reconstruction of mining work scenes, including the miners’ break times, and the images, audiovisual material, old photos, sounds and lights that seem to come from the past.

Guided tours Services Notizie utili In Italian, English, German and French. b j- k-

Tour routes Access is reserved to the There are three easy trails: Welcome Centre and the Museo 1. Museo Minerario mining Minerario mining museum. museum, housed in a gallery: 1h, 300 m; 2. Miniera Ravi Marchi mine: 1h, 600 m; 3. Trail in Parco delle Rocce park, also without guides:1h, 800 m.

111 112 Inside the park you can spend How to get there Castel di Pietra pleasant hours walking in the a Aurelia SS 1 road, Gavorra- abandoned limestone quar- no exit; continue along the SP 83 ries or watching performanc- road in the direction of Gavorrano. es at the Teatro delle Rocce Just before the village you can theatre, an enchanting open- see the metallic tower of a mining shaft (Pozzo Roma): the park air structure built in a small entrance is on the opposite side semi-circular quarry. of the road. In the Ravi Marchi mining area, among the remains w 10 km from Follonica railway station, Rome-Genoa line. of the plants, you can follow the “pyrite way” from the un- d RAMA bus service, Follon- derground exit through the ica-Gavorrano route, 4 trips per Next stop extraction shaft to the last day. for Toscana Underground sifting before being loaded on The Massa Marittima the conveyor belt towards the The Surrounding Area Mining Museum 84 telpher. The San Silvestro Archaeology Excursions to the caves in the and Mining Park 100 municipality of Gavorrano (Grotta The Baratti and Populonia u There are five teaching lab- dell’Artofago, Buca delle Fate); Archaeology and Mining Park 124 oratories: Museo Archeologico del Castello The Fonti dell’Abbondanza - Casting metal in the ancient world; Minerario Medievale, archae- Gallery 144 - A day as a geologist (geological ological and medieval mining trekking and laboratory for identi- museum, Castel di Pietra, Gavor- fying rocks and minerals); rano (GR); Museo del ferro e della - Laboratory of word-of-mouth ghisa, iron and cast iron museum, history (interviews and videos of Follonica (GR); Porta del Parco ex-miners); Minerario, mining park in Monter- - Wood laboratory (making minia- otondo Marittimo (GR). tures of mining tools); - “Il mulo da otto il ciuco da die- ci” (theatrical performances in the mine).

113 Museo della pietra piegata

Area archeomineraria

Sistema Archeominerario Info Opening times delle Alpi Apuane Parco Regionale delle Alpi Museum Museo della pietra piegata Apuane Every day in the months of July Via IV Novembre, 70 Biglietteria dell'Antro del Corchia and August and over the Christ- Levigliani di Stazzema (LU) mas holidays, over weekends in www.parcapuane.it the months of April, May, June, www.archeominerario.it September and October and by [email protected] request in other periods. Archae- ological mining area: all year round.

114 The Apuan Alps Archaeology and Mining Structure Museo della Pietra Piegata of Levigliani di Stazzema (LU)

Cappella archaeology and mining area Fabiano di Seravezza (LU) / altitude 440 m

he area of the Apuan ea is laid out below the pa- time of the etruscans to the Alps has a long mining rochial church of San Mar- present day. There is also Thistory, and the goal tino alla Cappella, between a collection of ancient and of the Sistema Archeom- the sample extraction sites modern marbles, the histor- inerario delle Alpi Apuane and small quarries of Bar- ic archive of the naturalist (archaeology and mining diglio marble, slag heaps, and marble entrepreneur structure of the Apuan Alps) dry-stone walls, square Emilio Simi (1820-1875), is to make it known to the blocks and other signs of as well as a room dedicated public and make the numer- the mining activity carried to the archaeological finds ous mining sites accessible. out here between the 19th in the Levigliani necropolis Currently it is possible to century and the first half of in the Ligurian Apuan Alps visit the Cappella archaeol- the 20th century. (III-II cent. BC). ogy and mining area near The levigliani stonework mu- Stazzema, and the Museo seum retrieves documents della Pietra Piegata (Marble and evidence of quarrying museum) in Levigliani. The and processing especially archaeology and mining ar- of apuan marbles, from the

Guided tours Services Useful Information Museum: in Italian and English. Museum Archaeology and Mining Area: b explanation panels in Italian and j- k- English. Access to the first floor only. Archaeology and Mining Area Tour route j- k- Archaeology and Mining Area: There is an easy trail: 1h, 850 m. We recommend that you wear trekking gear for the visit to the archaeology and mining area.

115 How to get there - Aurelia SS 1 road to Querceta di Area archeomineraria Seravezza, then the SP “di Marina” Museum road and the Arni SP road in the a Aurelia SS 1 road to Querce- direction of Castelnuovo di Garf- ta, then the SP “di Marina” road to a From Forte dei Marmi: the agnana to Levigliani di Stazzema. Seravezza, then the Montagna SC SP “di Marina” road and then - From Castelnuovo di Garfagnana: road to Pieve della Cappella. the Arni SP road in the direction SP 13 road to Levigliani. - A12 Genoa-Rosignano motor- of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana to way, Versilia exit; then the SP “di Levigliani di Stazzema. w 16 km from Forte dei Marina” road and the Montagna SC - A12 Genoa-Livorno motorway, Marmi railway station, Genoa-Pi- road to Pieve della Cappella. Versilia exit; then the SP “di Mari- sa line. - From Castelnuovo di Garfagnana: na” road and the Arni SP road in the SP 13 road and the SP “di Marina” direction of Castelnuovo di Garfag- d Vaibus, Seravezza-Casteln- road to Seravezza, then the Montag- nana to Levigliani di Stazzema. uovo di Garfagnana route. na SC road to Pieve della Cappella.

116 Pieve della Cappella

w 8 km from Forte dei Marmi Next stop The Grotte di Equi Cultural Park 68 railway station, Genoa-Pisa line. for Toscana Underground The Mercury Mines 78 d Vaibus, Pietrasanta-Ser- Antro del Corchia 12 avezza-Azzano route. The Pietra Piegata Museum 16 Buca di Castelvenere 18 Buca del Tasso 22 The Surrounding Area Grotta del Tambugione 26 Grotte della Penna 30 Monte Corchia marble quarries Roccia dei Pennati 34 in Levigliani di Stazzema (LU); Grotta del Tanaccio 38 various walks in the Apuan Alps Grotta all’Onda 42 regional park. Grotta del Vento 50

117 27 The “Città del Tufo” Archaeology and Mining Park 28 The Baratti and Populonia Archaeology and Mining Park 29 Via Cava of San Giuseppe 30 The San Rocco Rock Settlement

CARRARA MASSA PISTOIA LUCCA PRATO

PISA FIRENZE

LIVORNO

AREZZO SIENA

GROSSETO

27 30 29

118 But whoever it is that has departed, they have left a pleasant feeling behind them, warm to the heart, and kindly to the bowels. David Herbert Lawrence, “Etruscan Places”

Necropolises and Tufo Civilisations

here is a corner of Immersed in the silence of southern Tuscany these places, we lose all Twhere the core of the reference of time and space, earth, moulded by ingenious feeling as if the breath of hands, has chosen to reveal those who went before us, itself to the light of day; an thousands of years ago, area formed by “tufo”, a soft were upon us. stone of volcanic origin. Sculpted into the rock, dis- concerting, hidden underground passages, sumptu- ous tombs and picturesque caves heroically resist, en- veloped by age-old dense vegetation. Meanwhile, lying caressed by the sea breeze are the remains of Populonia, the only Etruscan town situated on the coast, and the main centre for iron in the Med- iterranean between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.

119 Insediamento rupestre di Vitozza

Necropoli di Sovana

Parco Archeologico “Città del Tufo” Opening times Sovana - Sorano (GR) From easter to october every day from 10.00 am to 13.00 pm and from 15.00 pm to 19.00 pm from no- Info vember to january, open on Saturdays, Sundays and Parco Archeologico “Città del Tufo” public holidays. www.leviecave.it opening hours are subject to changes. it is advisable [email protected] to view the website: www.leviecave.it [email protected]

120 The “Città del Tufo” Archaeology and Mining Park Sovana – Sorano (GR) altitude 400 m

truscan tombs peep out everywhere in Sovana, dug into Sovana the tufo slopes that surround the town. Many of them Necropolis Ecan be reached following the mysterious “quarried” or Sovana - Sorano (GR) “cut” paths: enormous, narrow corridors also cut deep into the tufo rock, perhaps linking roads, perhaps for drainage, or Tour route There is an easy trail: 5h, 3 km. perhaps sacred paths for religious rites. If you embark upon the path that goes off from the San Mar- tino sul Fiora provincial road at the entrance to the town of Sovana, once you have passed the Folonia stream at the point where it forms a pretty little waterfall, you get to the Tomba della Sirena (3rd-2nd century BC): decorating the pediment of the façade is a mermaid enveloping two young boys in her coils. If you continue on the “San Sebastiano” quarried path, you feel smaller and smaller next to the walls towering over 25 m, like Gulliver in the land of giants; and among the ferns and the moss, you will come across a Pal- aeo-Christian rock oratory.

Services Useful Information b o g j- k- Only if accompanied.

Trekking gear is recommended.

121 The “Cavone” is another Ildebranda (3rd-2nd century an accurate reconstruction: fascinating gorge. Again BC), which bears the name two flights of stairs led up to looking upwards, you can of the area’s most illustrious a high podium, where twelve see how the road has grad- citizen, Pope Gregory VII (his columns held up a frieze ually got lower and lower. At birth name was Ildebrando di decorated with pictures of the top of the walls you find Sovana). It is one of the most animals, plants and humans. Etruscan tombs, while half- beautiful examples of a tem- A long corridor, the dromos, way up there are medieval ple tomb. Hewn totally out leads to the cross-shaped niches. On one of the walls of the tufo, it is divided into burial chamber situated un- time has not cancelled an two parts: the funerary mon- der the monument. Etruscan inscription and a ument and the burial cham- When leaving the town of hooked cross, the Etruscan ber. Due to the brittleness of Sovana from Porta della symbol of life. the rock, many architectural Rocca on the opposite side Not far away, in the Poggio elements have been lost, of the valley, and going up Felceto necropolis, you can but thanks to the fragments to the left, you find other visit the most famous tomb found during the excavations tombs, the most famous in the whole area, Tomba it has been possible to make of which is the Tomba del

122 Tomba Sovana Ildebranda

Sileno. This tomb has two s Please respect the regulations in force for archaeological parks. peculiarities: it is the only circular niche tomb in the area; and, though the last How to get there to be discovered, in 1963, it a From Florence: A1 motorway, Orvieto exit; then follow the signs for was miraculously intact, with Castel Giorgio, San Lorenzo Nuovo, Pitigliano, Sovana. all the funerary items, urns - From Rome via Viterbo: follow the signs for Lago di Bolsena; then follow and cinerary remains. the signs for Valentano, Pitigliano, Sovana. - From Rome via Aurelia: SS 1 road Montalto di Castro exit; follow the These are just some of the signs for Canino then for Valentano, Pitigliano, Sovana. tombs that are dotted about - From Genoa via Grosseto: SS 1 road Albinia exit; then follow the signs the territory of Sovana: there for Manciano, Pitigliano, Sovana. are a great many, in a range Idealviaggi, upon reservation. of different architectural d styles, including the “dovecots”, small cells hewn into the tufo, probably used to house the cinerary urns. Via Cava Poggio Cani - Pitigliano

123 Sorano Rock Settlement of Vitozza San Quirico - Sorano (GR)

Tour route There is an easy trail: 2h, 2 km.

ravellers should leave lage still survive today. were used as supports for themselves some time Only the walls, the fortress the bed bases. Tand calmly make their and the church rise up Today it is easy to visit Vito- way north of San Quirico di above the ground; the rest zza thanks to recent resto- Sorano to explore Vitozza, of the buildings have been ration works and excellent one of the most interesting dug out of the tufo rock: signposting. and extensive rock settle- from the stalls for the ani- ments in Italy, lived in from mals to the storehouses, the 12th to the 17th centu- from the houses to the fur- ries. niture inside. Some cavities are laid out on several floors, Bathed by the clear waters linked by stairs and internal of the Lente stream, and passageways; in the walls hidden by the abundant are some niches used as copse, two hundred caves, storage spaces, wardrobes the “dovecots”, and the re- or lamp stands, while the mains of the medieval vil- holes visible at knee height

124 Sorano Sorano Necropolis Pitigliano

low the signs for Canino then for Next stop Please respect the regula- s Valentano, Pitigliano, Sorano, San for tions in force for archaeo- Toscana Underground Quirico di Sorano. logical parks. - From Genoa via Grosseto: SS 1 Grotta del Sassocolato 46 road Albinia exit; then follow the The Belverde Archaeology signs for Manciano, Pitigliano, How to get there and Nature Park 64 Sorano, San Quirico di Sorano. The Siele Mine 74 From Sovana: Pitigliano, The Cornacchino Mines 82 a RAMA bus service, 4 trips Sorano, San Quirico di Sorano. d The Abbadia San Salvatore per day. - From Florence: A1 motorway, Mining Museum 92 Orvieto exit; then follow the signs Via Cava of San Giuseppe 128 for Castel Giorgio, San Lorenzo The San Rocco Rock The Surrounding Area Nuovo, Pitigliano, Sorano, San Settlement 132 Quirico di Sorano. Rock settlement of San Rocco, - From Rome via Viterbo: follow Sorano (GR); Fortezza degli Ors- the signs for Lago di Bolsena; then ini, fortress, Sorano (GR); ancient follow the signs for Valentano, spa of Sorano. Pitigliano, Sorano, San Quirico di Sorano. - From Rome via Aurelia: SS 1 road Montalto di Castro exit; fol-

125 Parco Archeologico di Baratti e Populonia

Parco Archeologico Opening times di Baratti e Populonia From March until June and from September until Loc. Baratti - Piombino (LI) October: mornings and afternoons every day except Mondays. Open every day in July and August, also open at night Info on Saturdays. Parchi della Val di Cornia From November until February: Saturday and Sun- www.parchivaldicornia.it day mornings and afternoons only; from Tuesday to Friday for groups and schools upon reservation only. Closed from 8th to 26th December.

126 The Baratti and Populonia Archaeology and Mining Park Loc. Baratti - Piombino (LI) altitude 0 to 165 m

henyou walk along ba dei Carri – to the niche the beach in the gulf tombs, such as the Tomba del Wof Baratti, your eyes Bronzetto dell’Offerente, situ- wander up towards the hill ated right next to the beach. where the remains of Popu- A traveller from the early lonia rise up from the green 1900s would not have been mediterranean bush. The able to see these monuments Parco Archeologico di Baratti as the whole area was buried e Populonia archaeological by the iron slag produced by park is a real open-air mu- the furnaces that processed seum on the Etruscan civi- the haematite, a ferrous min- lisation. In the San Cerbone eral from the island of Elba, in necropolis there are tombs Etruscan and Roman times. from various periods (7th-5th Still today, if you follow the centuries BC): from the burial Via del Ferro, you can see mounds – such as the monu- the buildings for refining the mental, 28-metre-wide Tom- mineral.

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian, English and German. Included in the ticket price. b l F t g j- k-

Tour routes Trekking gear is recommended. There are three routes: For logistical reasons, access 1. Via delle Cave: is reserved to the San Cerbone 2h, medium; necropolis and the exhibition 2. Via del Ferro: on the town of Populonia at the 2h 30min, medium; park’s visitor centre. 3. The San Cerbone necropolis: 1h, easy.

127 If you want to enjoy the the whole Necropoli delle most of the objects found view over the large cres- Grotte area was subject to in the area of Populonia are cent-shaped bay of Baratti, intense quarrying activi- on display at the Museo del you can go up the Via delle ty to extract the stone that Territorio di Populonia mu- Cave woodland path to the was used to build the main seum in Piombino (Livorno); Belvedere. Then, when you monuments in the town of the two carts contained in come down towards the Populonia. the funerary items in the sea you can find the Ne- As of the summer of 2007, Tomba dei Carri are instead cropoli delle Grotte: here, in the park will also include the conserved in the Museo around the 4th century BC, summit of the acropolis and Archeologico Nazionale na- chamber tombs were dug the medieval monastery of tional archaeological muse- out of the soft calcarenite. San Quirico. It will include um in Florence. Arranged on several levels, more trails so that visitors they were accessible from will be able to get a global steps that were also dug out view of the ancient town and of the rock. its territory. To put the last At various points in the past, piece in the jigsaw puzzle:

128 u The park’s Centro di Ar- w 7 km from Campiglia Next stop cheologia Sperimentale Marittima railway station, Rome- for Toscana Underground experimental archaeology Genoa-Turin line. centre organises laborato- The San Silvestro Archaeology ries to learn ancient work- d Parchibus bus service (ATM), and Mining Park 100 ing techniques, amongst in spring from Tuesday to Sunday The Island of Elba which pottery and stone upon reservation. Mining Park 104 masonry. The Surrounding Area The Baratti and Populonia Archaeology and Mining Park 124 Parco di Rimigliano coastal park, s Please respect the rules in San Vincenzo (LI); Parco costiero force for protected areas. di Sterpaia coastal park, Piombi- no (LI); Parco naturale di Montioni How to get there natural park, Suvereto (LI); Parco forestale Poggio Neri forest park, a Aurelia SS 1 road, San Vin- Sassetta (LI). cenzo nord, San Vincenzo sud, Riotorto-Vignale, Piombino-Cam- piglia Marittima exit and follow the signs for the park.

129 Via Cava di San Giuseppe

Via Cava di San Giuseppe Strada Provinciale Pian della Madonna Pitigliano (GR)

Museo Archeologico Alberto Manzi S.P. 127 - Loc. Pantano

Info

[email protected] www.comune.pitigliano.gr.it www.turismoinmaremma.it.

130 Via Cava of San Giuseppe Pitigliano (GR)

Trail dug into the rocks

itigliano was one of the most impor- arranged in worship of the saint. tant Etruscan centres on the Marem- Don’t miss the open-air archaeological mu- Pma hills. In the surroundings there are seum A. Manzi, arranged in two sections: many remains of that ancient civilization, and the “Città dei Vivi”, with educational models one of the most spectacular and suggestive (prehistoric hut and archaic Etruscan house), are the Vie Cave, deep trails dug into the tufo and the archaeological area “Città dei Mor- rocks; today there are about a dozen. ti” – the Gradone (7th-6th century. b.C.) and One of the longest is the Via Cava di San S. Giovanni necropolis (6th-4th century b.C.; Giuseppe, near the bridge on the Lente riv- beginning of 3rd century b.C.). Along the trail er, on the road that connects Pitigliano with it is possible to visit the “Tomba degli Sposi” Sovana. Along the trail, on the left, there is and “Tomba del Guerriero”, carefully recre- a necropolis that was in use between the 7th ated tombs to represent a solemn Etruscan and the 6th century b.C. Then, stuck between funeral ceremony. The two “cities” are con- two rocks, there is the tabernacle with the nected through the via Cava del Gradone, icon of San Giuseppe, painted on table by the ancient trail dug into the tufo rock, an Licia Formiconi. Every year, on the 19th of evocative way, spiritual, physical and mys- March, a traditional torchlight procession is terious.

Opening times Services Notizie utili It is possible to book guided tours Picnic area and large parking to the settlement and the Vie Cave Bookshop and bar inside. j- k- at the above-mentioned addresses. We recommend to wear comfortable or trekking shoes.

131 s Please respect the regula- lentano, Pitigliano, Sorano, San Next stop tions in force for archaeo- Quirico di Sorano. for Toscana Underground logical parks. - From Genova via Grosseto: SS 1 Albinia exit; follow the signs for Grotta del Sassocolato 46 Manciano, Pitigliano, Sorano, San The Belverde Archaeology How to get there Quirico di Sorano. and Nature Park 64 The Siele Mine 74 a From Sovana: Pitigliano, d Rama bus service, 4 trips The Cornacchino Mines 82 Sorano, San Quirico di Sorano. per day. The Abbadia San Salvatore - From Florence: A1 motorway, Mining Museum 92 Orvieto exit; follow the signs for The “Città del Tufo” Archaeology Castel Giorgio, San Lorenzo Nuo- The surrounding area and Mining Park 118 vo, Pitigliano, Sorano, San Quirico The San Rocco Rock di Sorano. Rock settlement of San Rocco in Settlement 132 - From Rome via Viterbo: follow Sorano (GR); Fortezza degl Orsini, the signs for Bolsena lake, then fortess in Sorano (GR); ancient Valentano, Pitigliano, Sorano, San spa of Sorano (GR). Quirico di Sorano. - From Rome via Aurelia road: SS 1 Montalto di Castro exit; follow the signs for Canino, then Va-

132 Pitigliano

133 Insediamento rupestre di San Rocco

Insediamento rupestre Opening times Useful Information di San Rocco Open all year. Sorano (GR) j- k- Guided tours Info It is possible to book guided tours We recommend to wear suitable Parco Archeologico to the settlement and the Vie Cave clothing and trekking shoes; “Città del tufo” at the above-mentioned addresses. bring water, especially during SORANO (GR) summer. Tour routes [email protected] The settlement is part of the www.leviecave.it “Città del Tufo” Archaeology and s Please respect the regula- Mining Park with the Etruscan tions in force for archaeo- Necropolis of Sovana and the logical parks. rock settlement of Vitozza.

134 The San Rocco Rock Settlement Sorano (GR)

Rock settlement

he rock settlement of houses during the Middle San Rocco is on a vast Ages. At the entrance of Tpanoramic area in a the settlement there is the forest above the medieval church dedicated to San village of Sorano and the Rocco; inside an altar and valley of the Lente river. above a fresco of Mother Sorano, with the marvellous Mary with Child. Pitigliano, is part of the “tu- Behind the church, a road fo” region, distinguishing leads to the Via Cava di San for tufo stones, rock set- Rocco, Etruscan trail deeply tlements, medieval villages dug in the tufo rock, very at- and fortresses. tractive and suggestive. The settlement is complete- ly dug into the rock and this astonishes the visitor. Some of the rooms were used, during the Etruscan age, as burial places, others as

How to get there 1 Montalto di Castro exit; follow The surrounding area the signs for Canino, then Va- a From Sovana: Pitigliano, lentano, Pitigliano, Sorano, San Via Cava di San Giuseppe; Fortez- Sorano, San Quirico di Sorano. Quirico di Sorano. za degl Orsini, fortess in Sorano - From Florence: A1 motorway, - From Genova via Grosseto: SS (GR); ancient spa of Sorano (GR). Orvieto exit; follow the signs for 1 Albinia exit; follow the signs for Castel Giorgio, San Lorenzo Nuo- Manciano, Pitigliano, Sorano, San vo, Pitigliano, Sorano, San Quirico Quirico di Sorano. Next stop di Sorano. for Toscana Underground - From Rome via Viterbo: follow a Rama bus service, 4 trips the signs for Bolsena lake, then per day. The “Città del Tufo” Archaeology Valentano, Pitigliano, Sorano, San and Mining Park 118 Quirico di Sorano. Via Cava of San Giuseppe 128 - From Rome via Aurelia road: SS

135 31 The “Bottini” Underground Passageways in Siena 32 The Santa Mustiola Catacombs 33 The Fonti dell’Abbondanza Gallery 34 The Labyrinth of Porsenna 35 The Chiusi Museum

CARRARA MASSA PISTOIA LUCCA PRATO

PISA FIRENZE

LIVORNO

AREZZO SIENA 31

32 33 35 34

GROSSETO

136 But if I here could see the tristful soul Of Guido, or Alessandro, or their brother, For Branda’s fount I would not give the sight. Dante, “The Divine Comedy”, Hell, 30

Underground Passageways and Aqueducts

the Palio on 2nd There are also underground July or 16th Au- aqueducts in other places in Atgust in Siena, in Tuscany: the medieval Fonti the middle of the colourful, dell’Abbondanza gallery in festive crowd of horses and Massa Marittima and the jockeys, members of the “Labirinto di Porsenna” (lab- contrade and tourists, who yrinth of Porsenna) in Chiusi. would believe that the water In Chiusi it is also possible to that springs from the splen- visit Etruscan underground did Fonte Gaia in Piazza del passageways which nowa- Campo flows underground days house a rich collection in silent passageways? The of funeral urns and tomb galleries were dug between covers from ancient Etruria. the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to quench the city’s thirst, an extremely demanding enterprise that recruited specialised workers from the mines of Massa Marittima, Gerfalco, Montie- ri and Boccheggiano (see “Mines, Mining and Indus- trial Archaeology”, pg. 46).

137 “Bottini” di Siena

“Bottini” di Siena Opening times C/o Palazzo Comunale Spring and autumn. Piazza del Campo, 1 The passageways can only be visited if the level of Siena the water is not too high.

Info Informazioni Turistiche I.A.T. Siena www.iat.it www.terresiena.it [email protected]

138 The “Bottini” Underground Passageways in Siena Siena

Urban Underground Waterways

hen wandering the ies, usually around 1.80 m The “Bottini” network con- medieval streets of high and 0.90 m wide. The sists of two main branches WSiena, and seeing aqueduct was mainly exca- on two different levels: the the water gush up from Fon- vated from the 12th to the main Fontebranda branch te Gaia in Piazza del Campo, 15th century, to make up for (7.5 km), which takes water it is difficult to imagine that the lack of water. The work to Fontebranda from Fon- underground there is a lab- incorporated a stretch of tebecci and the Chiarenna yrinth of over 25 kilometres passageways, known as the branch (area north of Siena) that supplies water to the Fontanella, which probably at impressive depths; and fountains and wells scat- originated from Etruscan the main Fonte Gaia branch, tered about the town. times. which is longer (15.7 km) This network of under- Today it is possible to walk and runs nearer the surface, ground aqueducts is called along these passageways, feeding the fountain in Pi- the “Bottini”, from buctinus, with the rain water flowing azza del Campo and other a term used for the first along a small channel cut places at lower altitudes. time in 1226 to indicate the into the walkway until it barrel vault of these galler- reaches the fountains.

Guided tours Useful Information Visits must be booked s In Italian. a long time in advance j- k- (minimum 12 months). Tour routes Requests must be made There are two easy trails: We recommend that you wear to the Comune di Siena - 1. The Fonte Gaia main branch suitable clothing (possibly with Servizi Idrici - Via di Città, (the Fonte Gaia-Fonte Giusta Wellington boots or waterproof 81, 53100 Siena. stretch and back): 1200 m; shoes if the water level is high). 2. The Fontenuova main branch: You will also need a torch to light 610 m. your way.

139 140 Fonte delle Monache, first ramp How to get there Next stop for Toscana Underground a A1 motorway: from the Firenze Certosa exit take the SS The Belverde Archaeology Florence-Siena road; from the Val and Nature Park 64 di Chiana exit of the A1 motorway The Santa Mustiola Catacombs 140 follow the directions for Siena The Labyrinth of Porsenna 148 along the SS 326 road. The Chiusi Museum 152 w Siena railway station. d TRAIN; SENA bus services.

Inside the walls

Fonte delle Monache: charming spring dug under the hill for an enclosed community of nuns. For access contact: +39 338 1100772.

141 Catacombe di Santa Mustiola

Catacombe di Santa Mustiola Guided tours Tour routes Chiusi (SI) Only upon reservation. It is possible to book guided tours at the Cathedral Museum Info and the Labirynth of Porsenna Catacombe di Santa Mustiola Piazza C. Baldini (former Piazza Strada Provinciale 49 Duomo), 7 Chiusi (SI) email: [email protected]

[email protected] www.prolocochiusi.it

www.terredisiena.it

142 The Santa Mustiola Catacombs Chiusi (SI)

Burial site

he Santa Mustiola catacomb is about 2 kilometres from the town of Chiusi, one of the most important cities of Tnorthern Etruria, on the road to the lake. The sacred place takes its name from the patron saint of the town and the diocese that was buried here, according to tradition, in the middle of 3rd century and then moved to the Cathedral of San Secondiano. The main entrance leads to a small church, which main- tains the identical charm of the first Christian celebrations; the catacomb is organized in several galleries with the walls marked by inscriptions, symbols and signs. The large part of the burials is inside curved niches; each has two or three remains closed by shingles. The catacomb can be visited only with guided tours during the opening times of the Cathedral Museum.

Useful Information j- k-

143 144 How to get there usi; tel. 0578-20177. Next stop Archaeological Museum, viale for Toscana Underground a By car: A1 motorway Chi- Dante, Chianciano Terme (SI); usi-Chianciano Terme exit, then website: museoetrusco.it; tel. The Belverde Archaeology in the direction of the town of 0578-30471. and Nature Park 64 Chiusi then via Garibaldi, via Torri Archaeological Museum and The Labyrinth of Porsenna 148 del Fornello, SP 49 (1,8 km from Tomba della Quadriga Infernale, The Chiusi Museum 152 town centre). via Roma 24, Sarteano (SI); website: museosarteano.it; tel. 0578- w By train, Chiusi-Chian- 269261. ciano Terme train station; continue by bus to Cimitero Vecchio (Line T61, from railway station).

The surrounding area

Cathedral Museum and Labirynth of Porsenna, Piazza C. Baldini (former Piazza Duomo), 7 mail: [email protected]; tel. 0578-226490 Santa Caterina di Alessandria Cat- acomb – Strada Provinciale 146, 15 Chiusi Scalo (Information and reservation as for Santa Mustiola Catacomb). Etruscan National Museum and necropolis, via Porsenna 93, Chi-

145 Galleria delle Fonti dell’Abbondanza

Galleria delle Fonti - Ufficio informazioni Opening times dell’Abbondanza Massa Marittima Piazzale Mazzini s Visits during special events, Massa Marittima (GR) infomassamarittima@ upon reservation only. lamaremma.info Info www.terredisiena.it - Servizio Musei Cooperativa www.museidimaremma.it Colline Metallifere (prenotazioni, visite guidate)

www.coopcollinemetallifere.it [email protected]

146 The Fonti dell’Abbondanza Gallery Massa Marittima (GR)

Medieval Water Collection Gallery

uring the Middle Ag- like phalluses, symbolising water filtered by the rock es, underground pas- fertility and life. above; limestone stalactites Dsages were dug out In the past, the Fonti dell’Ab- can be seen on the vault in the travertine rock upon bondanza had a strategic and formations of various which the town of Massa role for the town, especially shapes and sizes also dec- Marittima lies to supply wa- in the event of a siege, as orate the floor and the walls. ter to the Fonti dell’Abbon- they were the only springs danza, a building with three within the town walls that large pointed arches, built provided drinking water. and decorated in 1265. Its Opening up under the sec- beautiful frescoes were only ond arch is the underground recently discovered and re- water collection gallery. stored. The most famous is Wells have been dug out the so-called “fertility” fres- in the passageway, which co painted in the first arch, measures approximately portraying a tree with many 270 m in length and 1.90 branches with fruits shaped m in height, to collect the

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian. The visits during special events are free. g j- k-

Tour route We recommend that you wear There is an easy trail: 1h, 270 m. trekking gear. A helmet and electric torch are supplied by the tour guides.

147 s It is obligatory to follow the guides’ instructions. The helmet must be worn at all times.

148 Massa Marittima, Cattedrale di San Cerbone

follow the signs for Massa Mar- ittima. - From the south: Rome-Civi- tavecchia motorway; then the Aurelia SS 1 main road in the direction of Grosseto, Follonica est exit; then follow the signs for Massa Marittima. w Follonica railway station, Pisa-Rome line. d RAMA FMF bus service, Next stop Follonica-Massa Marittima route for Toscana Underground (1 trip every hour); Siena-Massa Marittima (3-4 trips per day). The Massa Marittima Mining Museum 84 The Montecatini Val di Cecina The Surrounding Area Mining Museum 88 The Montieri Archaeology Museo del ferro e della ghisa, iron and Mining Park 96 and cast iron museum, Follonica The Gavorrano Mining (GR); Porta del Parco Minerario, and Nature Park 108 How to get there mining park, Monterotondo Mar- ittimo (GR). a From the north: A12 Genoa-Livorno motorway, Rosig- nano exit; then the Aurelia SS 1 main road, Follonica est exit; then

149 Labirinto di Porsenna

Labirinto di Porsenna Opening times Piazza Duomo From 1st June to 15th October: Chiusi (SI) 10.00 am-12.45 pm and 4.00 pm-6.00 pm. Info From 16th October to 31st May: Ufficio turistico 10.00 am-12.45 pm (working Piazza Duomo, 1 days); 10.00 am-12.45 pm and Chiusi (SI) 3.30 pm-6.00 pm (Sundays and public holidays). www.prolocochiusi.it [email protected] Group visits can be booked outside opening hours. www.terresiena.it www.museidimaremma.it

150 The Labyrinth of Porsenna Chiusi (SI)

Etruscan galleries and underground passages for supplying water

etween the 7th and 5th centuries BC, Chiusi was one of the most important towns in the Etruscan Dodecapolis B(“league of twelve cities”). In his Naturalis Historia, Pliny the Elder tells that the legendary Etruscan king Porsenna was buried in a majestic tomb inside an unfathomable labyrinth; and according to a medieval legend, the sarcophagus was guarded inside a golden chariot pulled by 12 golden horses, watched over by a hen and 5,000 chicks, also made of gold. For a long time, folk tradition had it that Porsenna’s burial place was the network of galleries that unwind beneath Chiusi. In reality, these are an Etruscan aqueduct, consisting of passageways of different sizes (around 1 metre wide and 2-5 metres high), laid out on different levels, where the water, after filtering through the rocks, was collected in large basins and drawn from wells. The route starts from the Museo della Cattedrale (Cathedral

Guided tours Services Useful Information IIn Italian, English, German, French, Spanish and Dutch. b g j- k- Visits in a foreign language must be booked (an additional fee could be requested for the guide on top of the entrance ticket price).

Tour route There is an easy route: 30 min, 200 m.

151 “Beccati questo” and “Beccati quello” towers

museum) in Piazza Duomo, and finishes up in a large round Etruscan-Roman reservoir from the 1st century BC with a dou- ble barrel vault held up by a central column. The structure is made from dry stone walls of blocks of travertine which are covered in cocciopesto, a mixture of pottery fragments held together by lime, ensuring they were perfectly watertight. From the tank you go up a small spiral staircase to the base of the defensive tower built in the 12th century which was trans- formed into a bell tower when a bell was added at the end of the 1500s. From the top of the tower you can enjoy a splendid view: the picturesque roofs of the historical centre of the town, the medieval fortress, the “Beccati questo” (Take This!) and “Beccati quello” (Take That!) towers whose names derive from the implacable rivalry between the people of Siena and Perugia; and also the lakes of Chiusi, Montepulciano and Trasimeno, the Amiata and Cetona mountains, Città della Pieve, Cortona and Orvieto. Museo della Cattedrale, manuscript

152 Chiusi lake

How to get there The Surrounding Area Next stop for Toscana Underground a A1 motorway, Chiusi-Chian- Museo della Cattedrale, cathe- ciano Terme exit. dral museum, Chiusi; Catacombs The Belverde Archaeology - SS 146 main road to Chiusi. of Santa Mustiola and Santa and Nature Park 64 Caterina d’Alessandria, Chiusi; The Abbadia San Salvatore w 2 km from the Chiusi-Chi- Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Mining Museum 92 anciano Terme railway station, national archaeological museum The “Bottini” Underground Florence-Rome line; then contin- and Etruscan necropolis, Chiu- Passageways in Siena 136 ue by bus to the historic centre of si; Museo Civico Archeologico, The Santa Mustiola Catacombs 140 the town (leaves from the railway archaeological museum, Chian- The Chiusi Museum 152 station every 30 min). ciano Terme (Siena); Museo Civ- ico Archeologico, archaeological d La Ferroviaria Italiana (LFI) museum , Sarteano (Siena). bus service, Chiusi-Montepul- ciano line.

153 Museo Civico di Chiusi

Museo Civico di Chiusi Opening times Chiusi (SI) From November to April: Thursdays and Fridays 10.00 am-1.00 pm; Sat- urdays and Sundays 10.00 am-1.00 pm and 3.00 pm-7.00 pm. Info Guided tour times: 10.10 am, 11.10 am, 12.10 pm, 3.10 pm, 4.10 pm, Ufficio turistico 5.10 pm. Piazza Duomo, 1 From May to October: from Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 am-1.00 pm and Chiusi (SI) 3.00 pm-7.00 pm. Guided tour times: 10.15 am, 11.30 am, 12.45 pm, 3.15 pm, 4.30 pm, www.prolocochiusi.it 5.45 pm. [email protected]

www.terresiena.it www.museidimaremma.it

154 The Chiusi Museum Chiusi (SI)

Etruscan Underground Passages

he visit starts from Palazzo delle Logge, in Via II Ciminia 2, where “The Labyrinth” section is laid out, and con- Ttinues in Via Baldetti 8, with the “Poduction Activities” and “Epigraphy” sections. “The Labyrinth” section documents the myth of the Etrus- can king Porsenna through panels, interactive objects, photos and a large model. The king’s mausoleum is said to be housed in the heart of a labyrinth dug directly underneath Chiusi (see “The Labyrinth of Porsenna”, pg. 106). On display in the “Production Activities” section are agricul- tural tools from the 19th and 20th centuries. The underground rooms house kitchen and canteen pottery (1st century AD) and a collection of Etruscan and Roman transport amphorae. After this display is a room with a 2D reproduction of an Etruscan banquet as portrayed in the frescoes in the Colle di Chiusi tomb.

Guided tours Services Useful Information In Italian, English, German and French. b g j- k-

Tour route Flash-free photography is There is a trail that goes through allowed. the three sections of the museum: I: “The Labyrinth”; II: “Production Activities”; III: “Epigraphy”.

155 The trail continues in the 3,000 in all, which can be How to get there “Epigraphy” section, locat- dated between the end of a A1 motorway, Chiusi-Chian- ed in fascinating Etruscan the 2nd century BC and the ciano Terme exit. underground passageways beginning of the 1st century - SS 146 road to Chiusi. that unfold over 140 me- BC), it has been possible to tres. From here it is also reconstruct a sort of “Etrus- w 2 km from the Chiusi-Chi- anciano Terme railway station, possible to see a small lake can demographic register”: Florence-Rome line; then continue 30 metres below road lev- the history of the families, by bus to the historic centre of the el through a monumental their family trees and the so- town (leaves from the railway sta- well. It is the only museum cial rankings that the single tion every 30 min). section in Italy entirely dedi- people achieved. d La Ferroviaria Italiana (LFI) bus cated to Etruscan epigraphy service, Chiusi-Montepulciano line. with 500 inscriptions on funeral urns and tomb covers. The Surrounding Area Due to the great quantity of inscriptions found in the Museo della Cattedrale, cathedral area around Chiusi (around museum, Chiusi; Catacombs of Santa Mustiola and Santa Caterina

156 d’Alessandria, Chiusi; Museo Ar- cheologico Nazionale, national archaeological museum and Etruscan necropolis, Chiusi; Museo Civico Archeologico, archaeological museum, Chianciano Terme (Siena); Museo Civico Archeologico, archaeological museum, Sarteano (Siena).

Next stop for Toscana Underground

The Belverde Archaeology and Nature Park 64 The Abbadia San Salvatore Mining Museum 92 The “Bottini” Underground Passageways in Siena 136 The Santa Mustiola Catacombs 140 The Labyrinth of Porsenna 148 The Chiusi Museum 152

157 Potholing centres

Federazione speleologica toscana Società naturalistica speleologica maremmana Vialetto Gomez c/o Carlo Cavanna 50136 Firenze Via Petrarca, 17 [email protected] 58046 Marina di Grosseto (GR) www.speleotoscana.it [email protected] www.gol.grosseto.it/asso/speleo/start.htm Gruppo speleologico fiorentino C.A.I. Gruppo speleologico archeologico livornese Via del Mezzetta, 2/M Via Degli Asili 50136 Firenze 57126 Livorno [email protected] [email protected] www.gsfcai.it www.speleolivorno.it

Gruppo Speleologico Toscano SST Gruppo speleologico lucchese C.A.I. c/o Carlo Carletti Cortile Carrara, 18 Via V. Bellini, 40 55100 Lucca 50144 Firenze [email protected] [email protected] www.gslucchese.it [email protected] http://www.sstspeleo.it/ Speleo club garfagnana C.A.I. Via Vittorio Emanuele Unione speleologica calenzano 55032 Castelnuovo Garfagnana (LU) Via Buonarroti 12/a [email protected] 50041 Calenzano (FI) http://speleogarfagnana.blogspot.it [email protected] www.speleocalenzano.it Gruppo speleologico Forte dei Marmi c/o C.A.I. Forte dei Marmi Speleo club Firenze Via Michelangelo 47 p.1 Vialetto A. Gomez, 50136 Firenze 55042 Forte dei Marmi (LU) [email protected] www.caifortedeimarmi.it/cai_speleo/sede.asp www.speleoclubfirenze.it Gruppo speleologico Gruppo speleologico l’Orso archeologico versiliese Via G. Marconi, 75 C.P. 96 58034 Castell’Azzara (GR) 55045 Pietrasanta (LU) [email protected] [email protected] www.gsorso.it www.gsav.org

158 Gruppo speleologico Gruppo speleologico alpinistico valfreddana Montagna Pistoiese Via Provinciale - Corte Martino, 9 Via Villaggio Orlando, 100 55060 San Martino in Freddana - Pescaglia (LU) 51023 Campo Tizzoro (PT) [email protected] www.geograficaservice.it/gsmp/gsmp.html [email protected] Gruppo speleologico archeologico apuano C.A.I. Unione speleologica pratese Via della Posta Carnevara Via dell’Altopascio, 8 54100 Massa (MS) 50047 Prato gsaapuano.blogspot.it [email protected] http://gsaapuano.blogspot.com www.speleologiapratese.it http://gsaa.altervista.org Associazione speleologica senese Gruppo speleologico C.A.I. c/o Franco Rossi Via Loris Giorgi, 1 Via di Nottola 19, Fraz. Stazione 53045 51033 Carrara (MS) Montepulciano (SIENA) gruppospeleologicocaicarrara@ [email protected] hotmail.it http://www.speleotoscana.it http://xoomer.virgilio.it/gscc/Home.html Commissione speleologica Gruppo speleologico C.A.I. Pisa “I cavernicoli” Via Cisanello, 2/4 c/o C.A.I. Siena 56100 Pisa Viale Mazzini, 95 [email protected] 53100 Siena www.speleopisa.it [email protected] sites.google.com/site/cavernicoli Gruppo speleologico pistoiese C.A.I. Via Antonini, 7 C.P. 1 51100 Pistoia www.gruppospeleologicopistoiese.it For further information on single groups write to: [email protected] [email protected]

159 Passo della Cisa

Parco Nazionale Useful Numbers dell’Appennino SS 62 Cisa Tosco-Emiliano Passo del Cerreto

Passo di Raticosa

SS 63 A12

SS 12 ABETONE-BRENNERO

CARRARA

Parco Regionale Futa della 65 SS PISTOIA MASSA delle Alpi Apuane Passo Lago di del Muraglione Bilancino Parco Nazionale F Amerigo iu m delle Foreste Casentinesi, Vespucci e Passo

LUCCA S Monte Falterona, i

e dei Mandrioli

PRATO v Campigna e Lago di Massaciuccoli Firenze-mare Parco Regionale A11 FIRENZE Migliarino San Rossore : Massaciuccoli SS 71 Main airports no PISA e Ar AIRPORTS um Fi SGC FI-PI-LI Galileo Galilei • “Amerigo Vespucci” A1 Autostrada del sole di Firenze SS 65 di Valdarno o MINOR AIRPORTS n LIVORNO Ar SS 2 Cassia e Centralino: Fium tel. +39 055.3061.5 SS 1 Aurelia RACCORDO FI-SI A12 AREZZO www.aeroporto.firenze.it PORTO DI PORTS LIVORNO •“Galileo Galilei” di Pisa Gorgona Centralino: MOTORWAYS tel. +39 050 849111 SIENA A1 www.pisa-airport.com HIGHWAY

brone P m E 80 Variante Aurelia O e

m a u MOTORWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION i F Railways: r

SS 223

• Call Center 24h su 24h tel. 892021 STATE ROADS Capraia SS 1 Aurelia

www.trenitalia.com N

RAILWAY z

i PORTO DI PIOMBINO o PORTOFERRAIO

a Elba ANNUAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ISLANDS GROSSETO l

SEASONAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ISLANDS A MARINA r Parco Regionale DI CAMPO c della Maremma i (o Monti p dell’Uccellina) e l a Pianosa g o PORTO SANTO

STEFANO SS 1 Aurelia

T o s c a n GIGLIO o PORTO

Giglio Montecristo

Giannutri

160 Passo della Cisa

Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino SS 62 Cisa Tosco-Emiliano Passo del Cerreto

Passo di Raticosa

SS 63 A12

SS 12 ABETONE-BRENNERO

CARRARA

Parco Regionale Futa della 65 SS PISTOIA MASSA delle Alpi Apuane Passo Lago di del Muraglione Bilancino Parco Nazionale F Amerigo iu m delle Foreste Casentinesi, Vespucci e Passo

LUCCA S Monte Falterona, i

e dei Mandrioli

PRATO v Campigna e Lago di Massaciuccoli Firenze-mare Parco Regionale A11 FIRENZE Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli SS 71 no PISA e Ar um Fi SGC FI-PI-LI

Galileo Galilei A1 Autostrada del sole

SS 65 di Valdarno

o n LIVORNO Ar SS 2 Cassia e Fium

SS 1 Aurelia RACCORDO FI-SI

A12 AREZZO PORTO DI LIVORNO

Gorgona

SIENA A1

brone P m E 80 Variante Aurelia O e

m a u i

F r

SS 223

Capraia SS 1 Aurelia

i PORTO DI PIOMBINO o PORTOFERRAIO

a Elba GROSSETO l

A MARINA r Parco Regionale DI CAMPO c della Maremma i (o Monti p dell’Uccellina) e l a Pianosa g o PORTO SANTO

STEFANO SS 1 Aurelia

T o s c a n GIGLIO o PORTO

Giglio Montecristo

Giannutri

Underground A project by Regione Toscana in collaboration with CDEV,

n information updated in 2016 a

c Realized within the interregional project about sites and villages, s o Toscana T heritage of rock civilistations, autonoumous funds 2009.

Realized by Toscana Promozione Turistica. www.toscanapromozione.it

Concept CD&V, Firenze www.cdev.it art direction Marco Capaccioli

groun d layout Paolo Valeri editorial coordination editing Piero Antonini Unde r editorial unit Michela Romoli an a technical coordination Roberto Valeri

os c Archivio Regione Toscana, Archivio Toscana T photos Promozione, Archivio CD&V, Archivio Provincia di Pistoia, Archivio Ente Parco Regionale delle Alpi Apuane, Archivio Unione Speleologica Pratese, Mario Baudi, Diego Benicchi, CAI, AlterEco, Bedessi Fotogiornalismo, Bruno Bruchi, Lisa Capaccioli, Stefano Cellai, Gruppo Trekking Tripetetolo, Riccardo Leoni, Mediagroupadv, Paolo Valeri, Marco Verole-Bozzello, Antonio Renzetti. Cover: access stairway to the bell tower of the the Cathedral of san Secondiano in Chiusi taken from the Labirynth of Porsenna; photo by courtesy of Opera laicale Cattedrale di Chiusi.

turismo.intoscana.it grotte, miniere e musei ipogei, bottini, cantine e magazzini fenomeni carsici, della miniera, necropoli, cunicoli sotterranei, scavati nella roccia, sof oni minerali e opere di drenaggio interni delle mura nel tufo etc... relativi musei, e idrauliche, cittadine archeologia mineraria tagliate e industriale

TOSCANA UNDERGROUND