Grosseto: Discover History, Nature and Beaches

Grosseto combines the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo with the history of the Maremma, natural history topics and beaches in the surrounding area. In the city and its surroundings, the specific sites range from a dated church building and Etruscan-Roman history to museums, a cultural centre and a beach.

History and Culture in Grosseto

Construction of the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo in Grosseto began in 1294 under the direction of the Sienese architect Sozzo Rustichini. About 10 km north of Grosseto, the Parco archeologico di Roselle preserves the initially Etruscan and later Roman history of a particularly significant area. The cathedral and Roselle thus lead to different historical periods of the Maremma.

In the historic centre of Grosseto, the Museo Archeologico e d’Arte della Maremma is located in the Palazzo ottocentesco del Vecchio Tribunale. The museum traces the history of the Maremma from prehistory through the emergence of Etruscan cities, the Roman conquest and the Middle Ages to the modern era. For those interested in culture, its central location is combined with a wide-ranging presentation of the region across different periods.

Another cultural focus is the restored Polo Culturale Le Clarisse. It is connected with the former Chiesa di Santa Chiara, the Chiesa dei Bigi, is a vibrant urban cultural centre and houses four cultural institutions.

The immediate surroundings of Grosseto also contain several features classified as palaces: Palazzina Francini, Complesso Polifunzionale Cosimini, Villino Volpi and Villino Panichi. These four sites supplement the historical topics with specific names from the area around Grosseto.

Natural History Topics and Beaches

The Museo di Storia Naturale della Maremma presents minerals, rocks, fossils and natural habitats that illustrate biological diversity. The natural history perspective therefore ranges from individual geological materials to habitats.

In addition, the museum promotes and develops citizen science initiatives at local, national and international level. Among other things, it uses Bioblitz events and citizen science meetings to bring people into contact with nature and make it easier for them to explore and understand it. Those interested in natural history can therefore find both collections and participation formats for nature research in the same museum.

The area around Grosseto contains Spiaggia di Marina di Grosseto, Medusa, Oasi and Kite Beach Fiumara. All four are classified as beaches. Anyone wishing to combine Grosseto with the sea will find these four beach locations in the surrounding area.

Audio Guide and Tactile Tour

A free audio guide from Izi.travel has been set up for the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo to present its historical and artistic heritage. In March 2014, a tactile tour for blind and visually impaired people was also opened in the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo. The audio guide and tactile tour therefore use different forms of interpretation at the same historic site.

Other places in the surrounding area include Alberese, Marina Di Grosseto, Principina A Mare, Batignano, Braccagni, Bagno Roselle, Poggio Cavallo, Istia D'ombrone, La Principina, Santa Maria Di Rispescia and Montepescali.

More about Grosseto: Grosseto.