Capital city of this province in Tuscany and main town of the Maremma, about 12 km from the sea, Grosseto stretches over the Ombrone plain. Situated in an area rich in naturalistic and cultural value, Grosseto has both agricultural and industrial sectors and is an important crossroads on the train route from Rome. The splendid Maremma coast, favoring the development of a cultivated tourism that respects the environment, includes the Nature Park of the Uccellina and the beautiful hinterlands, rich in archaeological sights and medieval towns.

The Grosseto area has been visited since the Etruscan era, but the city became important only in the High Middle Ages, when it was a highway nexus between Pisa and Rome. After the destruction of Roselle by the Saracens in the 10th century, Grosseto became an episcopality and underwent some development. This, however, ended due to the unhealthy conditions of the swampy territory. During the dominion of the Aldobrandeschi (11th century), Grosseto obtained the status of a commune, but lost this status forever after being conquered by the Sienese in the 14th century. Following the fortunes of the Sienese in the 16th century, the city fell under the Medici, who built new walls and carried out reconstructions to improve the malarial coastline. Under the Lorena, the improvements were finally completed, and Grosseto could begin an ever-stronger urban and economic development.

By car
State road SS1 or Superhighway 1 from Livorno.
State road SS 73 from Siena.
Highway A12 and then Superhighway 1 from Rome.

By train
Rail communications follow the route of the main roads; connections with Livorno, Viterbo and Rome.

By Air
The closest airport is G. Galilei of Pisa (tel. 050/500707).

The little historic center is a pedestrian area. One can park near the principle entrances into the walls.

Tourist Information
APT Agency for the Promotion of Tourism
Viale Monte Rosa 206, tel. 0564/454527
Tourist Information Office, tel: 0564/454510

Useful Numbers
Carabinieri: 112
Emergencies: 113
Fire Department: 115
Doctor on Call: 118
Road Assistance: 116
Railway Station: 0564/22366

The dish par excellence in Maremma gastronomy is "acqua cotta" (“cooked water”), a flavorful soup of peasant origin made with vegetables, mushrooms, eggs, toasted bread and pecorino cheese. One of the simplest soups, "acqua pazza" (“crazy water”), is made with aromatic herbs, leeks and bread. Lombard bean soup was imported by Lombard workers, who were working in the 19th century to reclaim the swamps. The “macaroni maremmani” is flavored with a sauce made from rabbit, sausage, tomato and mushrooms. Among second dishes, those tied to traditional hunting in the hinterlands and to coastal fishing are pre-eminent: caldaro, a flavorful fish soup, scaveccio di anguille (eel), scottiglia (stew made from mixed meats), buglione di agnello (lamb), and steamed boar. The local side dishes are simple, but flavorful: famed tomatoes and porcini mushrooms and all garden greens in season.

Strolling through the center of town, one can acquire the products of local artisans: ceramics and jewelry inspired by Etruscan art, hand-made accessories in leather, shoes, trappings for horses, and traditional Maremma saddles. Not to be missed are the best of the Maremma pork products (finocchiona, boar’s ham, sauces from wild game) and other excellent local products such as cheeses (pecorino from Manciano, Ginestrino in Maremma), aromatic olive oils, vegetables under oil, and prestigious wines (Morelino di Scansano, Alberese, Capalbio, Bianco di Pitigliano).

Teatro degli Industri
Via Mazzini