5 villages to see on the Etruscan Coast

The Etruscan Coast is dotted with evocative villages, perched on the hills overlooking the sea or immersed in the countryside, which represent its most authentic soul. These small villages, characterized by houses, streets and squares that seem suspended in time, bear witness to traces of an important past and are the perfect destination for a trip out of town.

What are the 5 villages not to be missed along the Etruscan Coast? Let’s discover them together!

CASTAGNETO CARDUCCI

One of the most beautiful villages on the Etruscan Coast is undoubtedly Castagneto Carducci. It owes its notoriety to the great poet Giosuè Carducci, who lived there and composed some of his most intimate poems. Nestled on the side of a hill a few kilometers from the sea, it is a typically medieval village with narrow paved alleys and beautiful squares that develops around the Castle of the Counts of Gherardesca. Among the places of interest we highlight: the Propositura of San Lorenzo, set in the castle walls; the Church of the Santissimo Crocifisso, known for a wooden crucifix from the fifteenth century; and the house where Carducci lived, which currently houses a museum full of testimonies. On its territory there is the picturesque hamlet of Bolgheri, famous throughout the world for the enchanting Viale dei Cipressi.

SASSETTA

In the heart of the Val di Cornia, about 15 kilometers from the sea, stands the small and characteristic village of Sassetta, where time seems to have stopped in the Middle Ages. Climbing on a rocky spur, it is famous for its red marble and the thermal water springs that flow at around 50 degrees not far from the centre. The village is dominated by the Ramirez de Montalvo Palace, which was rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century on the foundations of the Orlandi Castle destroyed in 1503. Behind the palace is the small Church of Sant’Andrea Apostolo, the main place of worship of the village. Inside you can admire some valuable 17th century paintings and a 15th century baptismal font.

SUVERETO

Another suggestive village immersed in the Val di Cornia is Suvereto, which has kept its medieval atmosphere almost intact. Still surrounded by ancient walls, it is part of the circuit of “The most beautiful villages in Italy”. The symbolic monument of Suvereto is the Rocca Aldobrandesca, located at the highest point of the town. It has been documented since the 10th century and presents itself as an imposing fortified complex. Among other things to see, the following stand out: the Town Hall, one of the most important examples of medieval civil architecture in the Maremma; the Parish Church of San Giusto, in Romanesque style with Byzantine-style decorations; the Church of the Madonna di Sopra la Porta, dating back to the 15th century but then enlarged in 1772 in memory of a miraculous event; and the Artistic Doll Museum, which includes specimens from various Italian factories.

CAMPIGLIA MARITTIMA

A few kilometers from Suvereto is Campiglia Marittima, one of the most fascinating villages on the Etruscan Coast. Inserted among “The most beautiful villages in Italy”, it represents the main center of the Val di Cornia. The historic center is enclosed in the ancient medieval walls, along which there are three doors that are still intact. The main attraction of Campiglia Marittima is the thirteenth-century Palazzo Pretorio, which today houses the Historical Archive, the Children’s Library “Il palazzo dei Racconti” and the Carlo Guarnieri Museum. Also worth a visit: the monumental complex of Rocca di Campiglia, located on the highest hill in the town; the Parish Church of San Giovanni, a magnificent example of the Tuscan-Romanesque style; and the Museum of Sacred Art, housed in the Sala delle Volte of the Church of San Lorenzo.

POPULONIA

On the promontory overlooking the Gulf of Baratti stands the village of Populonia, a hamlet of the municipality of Piombino. In ancient times it was an important Etruscan city, as attested by the finds found in the Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia. Also included among “The most beautiful villages in Italy”, it still retains its fourteenth-century walls. The town is dominated by the massive fortress, built in the first half of the 15th century and from which it is possible to enjoy an extraordinary view of the Tuscan Archipelago and the plain below. Also not to be missed is the small Church of Santa Croce, probably built between the 12th and 13th centuries.