Roccastrada
Roccastrada: A Village in the Heart of Maremma
Roccastrada is situated on top of a hill, 35 kilometers from the provincial capital Grosseto. From the walls of this picturesque village, you can enjoy panoramic views across the entire Maremma Tuscany, including the Giglio and Elba Islands.
Roccastrada is one of the most characteristic villages in the Grosseto region. Its municipal territory, covering an area of 284.50 square kilometers (at an elevation of 475 meters above sea level), lies between the Maremma Grossetana and the part of the Metalliferous Hills known as “maremmane or grossetane.” The municipality of Roccastrada has a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants and includes the hamlets of Montemassi, Piloni, Ribolla, Roccatederighi, Sassofortino, Sticciano, Sticciano Scalo, and Torniella.
Visit Roccastrada
What to See in Roccastrada
The crenellated tower of the Church of San Niccolò and the clock tower serve as visual landmarks that allow you to identify Roccastrada even from a distance. As you venture into the historic center of the town, which is built on a giant trachyte rock (of volcanic nature), you’ll encounter the Museum of the Wine Road (housed in an ancient wine cellar carved into the rock), the Church of San Niccolò, and the Clock Tower (a structure that may remind you of Siena’s Mangia Tower), from the base of which you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings. Continuing on, climbing some characteristic steps, you’ll reach the Terraces—divided from the former prisons, now transformed into private residences—from which you can overlook the entire Tuscan Maremma, as far as the Giglio Island and Elba, part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. On the clearest days, you can even see the profile of Corsica.
While strolling through Roccastrada’s historic center, you’ll find it interesting to observe the patrician palaces that preserve decorative details in local stone on their doorways and windows. In the Piazzetta dell’Incrociata, where you’ll find the famous Porta del Madonnino, the ancient city walls’ gateway, one of the most beautiful portals in the town stands out. Proceeding along Vicolo del Bersagliere, at the corner with Via Martino, you’ll find Palazzo Lutti, which, despite being a bit dilapidated, retains elegant windows. In the modern part of the town, you’ll find the Teatro Comunale dei Concordi, a wooden gem from the late 19th century (restored in 1923 to repair some damage caused by a cyclone), boasting a 16th-century facade in two orders of trachyte stone.
Explore Roccatederighi and Montemassi
Around Roccastrada
The surroundings of Roccastrada are a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts, with trails and routes ideal for walking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
The surroundings of Roccastrada are rich in small medieval villages offering breathtaking panoramic views. One of these is Roccatederighi, located at almost a thousand meters of altitude on a rock spur of Sassoforte. The ancient part of the village is well-preserved and holds particular environmental value. The functional center is found on Via Roma, where you’ll find production activities and services. The surrounding forested area is perfect for relaxing walks. Sassofortino, located a few kilometers from Roccatederighi, is a late medieval village that developed along the provincial road due to the abandonment of the Sassoforte Castle. The Source Park, located between the Bosco del Sassoforte and the modern part of the town, is of great interest for its environmental and urban quality.
Montemassi is another village not to be missed, famous for its fortress immortalized by the painter Simone Martini in “Guidoriccio.” The center is currently involved in various urban and construction redevelopment projects. Lastly, the village of Sticciano, located in the Monte Leoni area, enjoys an incredible panoramic view of the plain and houses a splendid 12th-century Romanesque church, the Parish Church of S. Mustiola. Piloni, with its small church of S. Maria delle Grazie located in the central square, is another stop to visit around Roccastrada. In all these villages, you can take a stroll through the cobblestone streets and discover the hidden treasures of the Tuscan Maremma.
History and Events
Roccastrada Information
Roccastrada Donkey Palio
For over forty years, in September, the Roccastrada Palio has been held, an event featuring the eight districts of the town: Torre, Borgo, Convento, Fonte, Capannacce, Centro, Chiusone, and Portoncino. Sixteen jockeys—two for each district—compete on donkeys through the streets of the town.
The Origins of the Municipality of Roccastrada
The medieval village of Roccastrada, coveted for its strategic location, was a lordship of the Aldobrandeschi in the 13th century, who had a castaldo here, a lordly administrator. In 1216, the castle passed to the branch of the family of Santa Fiora, and by the end of that century, it welcomed many fleeing Ghibellines. This led to a war with Siena, which emerged diplomatically victorious. It was conquered by the Medici in 1555 and followed the fate of Maremma until the Lorena, experiencing significant demographic and economic growth. The late 19th century characterized Roccastrada with strong mining industry development.
Resources on Roccastrada
- Comune di Roccastrada – The municipality, notice board, citizen services, the territory, and tourist information.
