Maremma landscape, churches, museums and much more: Grosseto is the ideal place to get to know the true face of southern Tuscany in depth. Here is a guide on what to do in Grosseto in just one day, but having more time even in two or three days, with family or friends.
Historic center, museums and tips for better living a day in the heart of the Maremma.
Grosseto, in Southern Tuscany, is a city that totally reflects the ideal of Maremma landscape. Whether you reach it by car, train or bus, you can't help but notice that it is located in a plain strongly shaped by the agricultural settlements of the past. Even today, in the form of the plots, references to closed fields, large estates and farms can be seen. There is no shortage of large green spaces with horses and grazing cows.
The plain extends from the coastal strip towards the interior. A short distance from the city, towards the East the landscape becomes hilly, with cultivated spaces alternating with groves, up to the mountainous area of the Apennines.
What to see in one day
If you are in Grosseto for a day and you just want to visit the city, or if you stop for some more time to visit the Maremma, don't miss the historic center and its views.
1. Walls
The historic center of Grosseto is totally enclosed between the Medici walls, well preserved. Their first construction dates back to the XNUMXth century, but they were destroyed and rebuilt several times. There are three main accesses: Old Gate to the South, is the most monumental; Porta Nuova to the North, at the beginning of Corso Carducci; Take Corsica to the West. From the east it is accessed via a modern bridge: Via Amiata.
Near each entrance there are various points to climb the ramparts and walk along wide avenues surrounded by greenery, with splendid views over the city. In about 40 minutes you can complete the tour of the walls on foot starting from the Bastione Cavallerizza, adjacent to Porta Vecchia. Passing over Porta Corsica you arrive at Windmill Bastion and continuing further you reach the Garibaldi Bastion.
There the route stops, to resume immediately after Porta Nuova, on Bastion Remembrance, up to the Bastione Fortezza where the Cassero Senese is also located. At this point was the fortified part of the citadel of Grosseto. The last, to close the hexagonal perimeter, is the Maiano Bastion.
2. Piazza Dante
The Grosseto people often call it Square of the Chains, due to the numerous chains arranged in a circle around the statue of Leopoldo II of Lorraine, also called Canapone. The sculpture is dated to 1846 and depicts Leopold II crushing the head of a snake, an allegory of the malaria that tormented the Maremma.
The Town Hall and Aldobrandeschi Palace (or Palazzo della Provincia) in neo-Gothic style.
The square also overlooks the Duomo, dedicated to San Lorenzo, the patron saint of Grosseto. It was built at the end of the XNUMXth century, but underwent numerous subsequent modifications and alterations. The prevailing colors both inside and outside are white and red, obtained using the red Caldana marble. The style is gothic. You can see it well by observing the southern side, which is original, with the large richly decorated portal. On an artistic and cultural level it is certainly a work worthy of note also for the sculptors who worked on it, such as Sozzo Rustichini, Giovanni d'Agostino, Antonio Ghini and Benvenuto di Giovanni.
I recommend that you enter to notice how the typically Gothic atmosphere is emphasized by the cross vaults on the ceiling and the light coming from the large windows. Last, but not least, is the massive marble baptismal font.
3. Corso Carducci
From Piazza Dante, take the Corso di Grosseto until you reach Porta Nuova. It is the street dedicated to shopping. The buildings found there are the result of an extension of the street in the nineteenth century to give a stronger impact to the visitor. Here is the oldest church in Grosseto Church of St. Peter. The first traces date back to 1118, but it has been rebuilt several times.
The palaces are mainly in liberty and neoclassical style.
4. Church of San Francesco
Near the Bastione Rimembranza is the Church of San Francesco with a characteristic cloister with well. The facade is very linear, the interior is instead Gothic-Franciscan. It once housed a real convent, but it has drastically reduced after the renovation of the adjacent walls.
The most important work it hosts is the Crucifix by Duccio di Boninsegna, dated at the end of the thirteenth century.
In the square near the church is the Pozzo dello Spedale, which was fundamental to mitigate the drought problems of the area between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
5. Museums
Very close to the Church of San Francesco is the Archaeological and art museum of Maremma. I suggest visiting it to explore the Maremma from prehistory to the modern age, through archaeological finds, reconstructions, and works of art. Inside there is also the Diocese Sacred Art Museum. If you have enough time available, ask the museum for any discounts or free gifts for admissions to the various museums and the archaeological area of Roselle.
In the immediate vicinity of the museum, in the convent of the Poor Clares, there is also the Museolab, born with the intention of disseminating the results of archaeological research in Grosseto and its surroundings. Admission to the latter museum is free.
On the other hand, near the bridge of Via Amiata there is the Museum of Natural History, which aims to communicate the importance and diversity of the natural world through not only exhibition but also interactive paths.
Events in Grosseto
One of the most traditional events, which no one from Grosseto can miss, is the Feast of the patron saint of Grosseto. San Lorenzo is celebrated on 10 August. During the morning there is mass with the blessing and choirs of sacred music. The same evening a concert is held in Piazza Dante.
The heart of the party, however, takes place the night before, at 21pm. Traditionally, in fact, on 9 August, it takes place procession of San Lorenzo. The faithful walk the streets of the center following a decorated chariot, pulled by two huge Maremma oxen, which carries a statue of the saint.
Everything is framed by a bell that announces the arrival of the chariot, prayers and religious songs.
Where to park in Grosseto
Unfortunately, there are not many free parking lots near the historic center and are located on the sides of the main streets. In particular, you can find some along via Mascagni, viale Sonnino and via Porciatti. From these streets, the historic center can be reached in a maximum of 15 minutes on foot. A large free car park is located in Vallo degli Arcieri, at the foot of the Cassero Senese.
Pay parking in Grosseto
Piazza Esperanto or Market Square, near Porta Vecchia. This parking is not usable every Thursday and every first Sunday of the month because the market takes place there.
Via Amiata, underground parking.
Via Porciatti, in the last section.
Via Manetti and via Ximenes, at the foot of the walls.
Via Alfieri, it is not large but generally there is some free space.
