Montemerano is a picturesque walled village situated on a beautiful hilltop. Montemerano maintains the look of an ancient medieval castle with it’s antique streets and quaint, charming houses. The 14th century Chiesa di San Giorgio is located in the highest part of the historical centre. It is a splendid example of Romanic architecture and houses one of the most important artistic patrimonies in the province of Grosseto. The church houses an important 15th century polyptych and the Virgin of the Gattaiola, or The Virgin of the Cat Flap.
The Church of St. George stands out, above all, because it houses the works of two of the most important 15th century Sienese artists: the sculptures of Vecchietta and an altarpiece by Sano di Pietro.
Montemerano is close to Manciano and is well worth a stop.

During the XI-th century the territory of Magliano in Toscana was under the jurisdiction of the Aldobrandeschi's Counts who made a castle erected, whose around the community of Magliano in Toscana gathered building the first houses.
Along the next centuries the castle of Magliano in Toscana passed first to Bernardino di Magliano, an Aldobrandeschi's vassal, and then to the Aldobrandeschi's family of the Santa Fiora branch.
From the XIII-th century Magliano in Toscana was quarreled between the new Lords and the Republic of Florence, subduing political and military conflicts and their alternating to the power.
During the same period the territory of Magliano in Toscana subdued a siege by the English troops of the commander John Hawkood, after which the inhabitants started the fortification of the village by building a ring of walls equipped with towers.
The situation of political and economic instability lasted up to the middle of the XV-th century, when the Republic of Florence put to end the ancient quarrel by conquering and annexing Magliano in Toscana to its countryside.

Entered the orbit of the Medici's Grand Dukedom, Magliano in Toscana was gave as a feud by Cosimo I of Medici to Cornelio Bentivoglio, who was general of the Medici's troops. His family held the property of the village up to the XVIII-th century.
Later the Lorena's Dukes came to the power of the Tuscany. They gave to the village of Magliano in Toscana its autonomy and the opportunity to give itself own statutes.
The Lorena's domination lasted almost uninterruptedly up to the Unity of Italy occurred on 1861 by the action of the King Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoia.
Among the most important monuments to see in Magliano in Toscana we point out here the Chiesa di San Martino (SaintMartin Church), the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista (Saint John Baptist Church), the Chiesa dell'Annunziata (Our Lady's Annunciation Church), the Palazzo dei Priori (Priors' Palace), the Palazzo di Checco il Bello (Palace of Checco the Handsome) and the Centro di Documentazione Archeologica (Centre of Archaeological Documentation).
Among the numerous celebrations periodically taking place in Magliano in Toscana we remind here the traditional festival called "Primizie di Vinellando" held yearly on March and during which it is possible both to taste good local wines and fine typical courses and to visit the interesting close archaeological sites.

Manciano rises on the top of a hill open to the four winds, with a breathtaking view in all directions: from the Amiata to the Fiora valley, from Talamone to the beaches of Montalto di Castro, from the Argentario to the Islands of Giglio and Montecristo.
It is a mysterious and enchanted spot. It’s not by accident that it is remembered with the saying, “Manciano delle streghe, dove si va si vede”, “Manciano, home of witches, wherever you look, you see them”.
The area around Manciano was settled in prehistoric times as demonstrated by the archeological findings near Saturnia, Marsiliana and Poggio Murella.

Manciano was ruled in the 12th century by the Aldobrandeschi family and then later by the Orsini Counts from Rome.
However, its geographical position and solid walls didn’t prevent its being conquered in 1461 by the Siena Republic which then built a fortress overlooking the vast panorama.

Another spot of interest is Saturnia, considered by some to be the craddle of Italian civilization, with an Etruscan, Roman and Medieval past.
Under the history of Saturnia are profoundly ancient roots, in fact we know that the area where today’s Maremman town is, was first inhabited by the Etruscans. In the course of the following centuries, it became an important Etruscan dominion, which could then boast great significance and importance under the control of the Roman Empire.
In fact under the Romans, the city experienced a great period of development, profiting from its extraordinary vicinity to Via Clodia and from the creation of primitive public sulfuric baths. During the Middle Ages it was assisted by the domination of the Aldobrandeschi and the Orsini but experienced a period of great debauchery, with numerous popular legends surfacing around thermal waters.
Many believed the sulfuric waters were really the waters of hell. Only during the 18th century did the fortune of the Tuscan city begin to change, thanks once again from interest by medics and scholars who began to preach about the curative properties of the waters.
However, even more than its history, it is known for its hot sulfur springs, which gush forth all year at a temperature of 37.5°C.

Capalbio
Located in the heart of the Maremma, immersed amongst a territory of absolute wonder and splendor, Capalbio is one of the most appreciated tourist destinations in the south of Tuscany.
The Maremma coast has many facets: the mystical atmosphere of the Orbetello Lagoon and the golden, groomed beaches of the Feniglia and the Giannella not far from the Capalbio coast with lunar sand and wild, untouched dunes making it unique. The Islands of Giglio and Giannutri are rare jewels with rocky cliffs plummeting to the crystal-clear, emerald green sea and the scent of the Mediterranean scrub and aromatic herbs filling the air.

The town of Capalbio is seen as the last city of the Maremma, the most southerly town. From the absolutely magical and unique views and panoramas, to the cultivated countryside, charming hills and valleys, Capalbio is definitely both suggestive and splendid.
It is one of the centres which best represents and symbolizes the ancient spirit of the Maremma, with the simple and welcoming nature that is found all across this enchanting and stunning zone.
Capalbio is located in the province of Grosseto, a short distance from the wonderful sites of the Promontory of Monte Argentario. The town is seen as one of the most stunning and frequented locations in lower Tuscany, mainly due to its beauty and the absolute splendor of its historical sites, in fact, the town has earned the coveted recognition of the 5 sails of Legambiente, a source of great pride and honour for all of Tuscany; for the unique shape of the town, for the presence of very ancient buildings and palazzi and for the great and profound beauty of the village.

Vulci
The Etruscan city of Vulci (VelX- in Etruscan) lies on the border between Lazio and Tuscany, about fifty miles north-west of Rome. It stood close to the sea on the right bank of the river Fiora, on a plateau of volcanic origin, in an area which is today uninhabited. The National Museum is housed in the Castle of La Badia, where finds from the excavations in the city and necropolis are on display.Vulci was famous in the ancient world for trade, handicrafts and agriculture. Active from as early as the 8th century BC, the city expanded its control over the surrounding territory in the following two centuries. In the 6th century BC, local handicrafts, strengthened by the presence of Greek labour, gave rise to the production of ceramics, sculptures and objects in bronze, of excellent workmanship, which reached markets throughout the Mediterranean. After the crisis of the 5th century BC, which did not seriously affect Vulci, the recovery of the following century led to the construction of new public works, such as the walls and the temple, discovered in the urban area. In the second half of the 4th century BC, Vulci began to feel the weight of Roman expansionism. The struggle to remain independent came to an end in 280 BC when, defeated, it had to relinquish a large part of its territory, including the coast to Rome. Once it had lost its independence, the city declined and rapidly disappeared completely.
www.vulci.it
Walking in Tuscany | The Naturalistic Archeological Park of Vulci