Monterotondo Marittimo is a picturesque medieval town whose roots can be traced back to 1128, and it hasn’t changed all that much since then – much to the delight of history fanatics!

Like most Maremman towns, Monterotondo Marittimo takes care of its ancient past, working tirelessly to preserve the 12th-13th century walls that still surround the town, as well as the Rocca degli Alberti fortress, which was built by the noble Alberti di Mangona family when they ruled in the Middle Ages.

On the surface, Monterotondo Marittimo has little that separates it from any other tranquil Maremman town. Hidden amongst chestnuts in the hinterland of Southern Tuscany’s mountainous hills, Monterotondo Marittimo is beautiful, more beautiful than most. Its intense desire to keep its rich history alive has protected it from modern influences and fostered a town that is strikingly quaint. And, like much of the Metalliferous Hills, the town is surrounded by acres of pine forests, carved by miles of hiking and biking tracks.

Everything seems run-of-the-mill until you take a closer look. The landscape around Monterotondo Marittimo is riddled with geysers that explode from the ground at anywhere between 100-160°c. Not only is this fantastic to watch, if you’re lucky to be around when the jets of smoke shoot up into the sky, but it’s also the root of the geothermal industry that has funded the foundations and growth of Monterotondo Marittimo since 1777, when boric acid was discovered and exploited to produce electricity.

SIGHTS:

Chiesa di San Lorenzo The parish church, its faded stone exterior might be a little discouraging, but inside are all of the town’s most beautiful and priceless religious treasures.

Santuario del Frassine While not technically in Monterotondo Marittimo, this church is in nearby Frassino and is quite simply too beautiful not to mention.

Rocca degli Alberti Built by the Alberti di Mangona family in the Middle Ages, this castle in the Monterotondo Marittimo countryside has only been recently restored.

Renato Fucini This famous Italian writer was born in Via Roma in Monterotondo Marittimo is 1843.

Le Biancane This nature park protects the flora, fauna and landscape that have come about courtesy of the unique geological conditions found in the area.

EVENTS:

Sagra del Maiale e della Pecora – July Six days of delicious dinners centred around local produce and capped off by traditional Maremman music and dancing. This event is also a celebration of Montertondo Marittimo’s rich culture and history and includes briscola tournaments, a classic car race, and quite simply a whole lot of food, wine and fun.