Monterotondo
MONTEROTONDO MARITTIMO: A unique and distinctive place, the landscape is characterized by the presence of geysers from which hot vapors emerge at temperatures between 100 and 160 degrees Celsius.
At first glance, Monterotondo Marittimo may appear like any other medieval village. Its roots can be traced back to 1128, and its name derives from Mons Ritundus, a reference to the almost conical shape of the hill on which it is built. For centuries, the Florentine family of the Alberti ruled the town, but it was contested for its position at the crossroads between Grosseto, Pisa, and Livorno, as well as its vast pine forests. All in all, Monterotondo Marittimo would be very picturesque if it weren’t, as legends suggest, the “Gate to Hell.” A few steps from the city center, large columns of gray smoke indicate the gurgling of the Biancane geysers. Although it may seem of infernal origin, the geyser is simply part of a natural volcanic phenomenon dating back 4,000 years. Since the 20th century, the geysers have been harnessed for geothermal energy and now power more than 19,000 homes. Beyond the arid plains of the Biancane, Monterotondo Marittimo is surrounded by pine trees that contrast with the pastel-colored houses within its walls. Even though they’re in the countryside, the people of Monterotondo are great patrons of the arts and host an annual literary competition named after their most famous son, the 19th-century Maremman poet Renato Fucini.
What to See in Monterotondo:
Monterotondo Marittimo begins on Via Garibaldi, where you can catch a glimpse of the medieval walls and the Porta all’Olmo, surmounted by the city’s coat of arms. Follow the road to Piazza Casalini to reach the town center. At one end, you’ll find the municipal palace and its clock tower, dating back to the 17th century with architectural traces from the 12th and 13th centuries. At the other end is the beautiful Palazzo delle Logge: although it is just over 200 years old, its burnt orange bricks and green shutters exude a pleasantly “old-school” Tuscan charm. The nearby Church of San Lorenzo, built at the beginning of the 17th century, is the most important in the town. It doesn’t house any particular works of art except for the 1430 Madonna with Child, created by the Sienese painter and Maestro di Monterotondo, Duccio di Buoninsegna.
Things to See Nearby:
Parco Naturalistico delle Biancane (Lagoni, Monterotondo Marittimo; 0566 917039; free)
Entering the Biancane area feels like visiting a strange planet where the ground boils, hisses, and smells of rotten eggs; a unique spectacle created by emissions of hydrogen sulfide that escape from the geysers in the ground. These emissions transform the red rocks into the white gypsum that gives the Biancane their name. You can follow the path along the stream and past the pools, which boil at 100°C, but don’t wear anything you particularly care about: the gray, muddy soil can stain your shoes if you step into it. The steel pipes you see at the park’s entrance are part of the geothermal plant that transports steam to convert it into electricity.
Sasso Pisano
The trail of the Parco delle Fumarole di Sasso Pisano connects Monterotondo Marittimo with the nearby Sasso Pisano, a town whose thermal springs were used first by the Etruscans and then by the Romans. The two-hour route is designed for those who want to appreciate the geothermal landscape with its smoking pools and spontaneous eruptions. In Sasso Pisano, you’ll also find a museum dedicated to ancient civilizations and a medieval castle worth visiting. In the surrounding countryside.
Main Events:
Sagra del Maiale e della Pecora – June
Wine and food festival with music and entertainment.
Festa della Castagna – Last weekend of October
Monterotondo Marittimo celebrates chestnuts in this traditional festival with homemade dishes, new wine, and lots of folklore.
