A completely preserved medieval wall encircles Grosseto’s historic centre. The city lies on a plain crossed by the Ombrone, a few kilometres from the Tyrrhenian coast. Exploring Grosseto means encountering both a distinctive urban history and the landscapes and trails of the Maremma.

Discover the City’s History and Culture

Construction of the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo began in 1294 under the Sienese architect Sozzo Rustichini, on the ruins of an earlier church dedicated to the Assumption. The cathedral’s features include a baptismal font, stained-glass windows, the Cappella del Crocifisso and a painting by Matteo di Giovanni. The Sienese Keep, Grosseto’s most important fortress, also tells the story of the city: it was built during the Republic of Siena.

In the historic centre, the Polo culturale Le Clarisse is housed in a former 17th-century convent. The institution comprises four cultural organisations. The Museo Collezione Gianfranco Luzzetti displays 64 works donated to the city of Grosseto. Its exhibition route leads through the former Poor Clares convent of Santa Chiara and the Chiesa dei Bigi. Clarisse Arte offers another way to explore art, with a space for temporary exhibitions, a documentation centre and a repository for selected works from public art collections.

Other discoveries in the historic centre include the Giardino Archaeologico, an open-air museum and archaeological garden, and the MuseoLab. It focuses on original finds and large-scale graphic reconstructions of Grosseto’s history. The Museo di Storia Naturale della Maremma offers guided tours, exhibitions, conferences, workshops and educational activities.

Roselle and Maremma Traditions

For a glimpse into the area’s ancient history, the Area Archeologica di Roselle lies eight kilometres north of Grosseto. It preserves sections of Etruscan walls and Roman city remains, including the forum, Cardo maximus, basilica and thermal baths. A dedicated section of the Museo Archeologico e d’Arte della Maremma focuses on Roselle: the Etruscan city was founded at the end of the Iron Age and conquered by Rome in 294 BC.

Traditions also offer insight into the Maremma. During the traditional procession on the night of San Lorenzo, a cart drawn by Maremma cattle from Alberese passes through the historic centre, followed by mounted butteri. Grosseto also hosts the Game Fair every year, a three-day outdoor festival featuring hunting traditions, target shooting, equestrian sports and activities with dogs.

Explore on Foot and by Bike

The Parco Regionale della Maremma can be explored via a network of hiking and Nordic walking trails. Route A9 – I valloni is a short, level walk through the Pine Forest of the Grand Dukes and the landscape known as “little Africa”. A variant leads to the Torre di Collelungo; there are also connections to the beach and towards Marina di Alberese. A9 therefore offers a clearly defined short walking option, while several other routes take cyclists through different landscapes.

The Grosseto–Alberese cycle path starts at Grosseto railway station, follows the Ombrone embankment and enters the Parco Regionale della Maremma at Pian di Barca. It ends at the visitor centre in Alberese. Trail and visitor conditions may change; check them before setting out. The visitor centre is four kilometres from the SS Aurelia and is signposted from the exits.

Another cycling route leads to Spiaggia di Collelungo: it passes through the Pine Forest of the Grand Dukes to Marina di Alberese, then follows the coastal cycle path back to Alberese. The Alberese–San Rabano route, in turn, leads to the ruins of the monastery, its church and the Uccellina Tower, surrounded by holm oaks. Depending on your interests, you can choose a walk, cycling routes between forest and coast, or a destination featuring monastery ruins and a tower.

Discover more destinations: Rocchette, Arcidosso, Campagnatico, Scansano, Cinigiano, Follonica, Gavorrano, Manciano, Massa Marittima, Montieri, Pitigliano, Roccastrada, Scarlino, Seggiano, Sorano, Grosseto, Capalbio, Castiglione Della Pescaia, Magliano In Toscana, Santa Fiora, Orbetello, Monterotondo Marittimo, Civitella-Paganico, Semproniano, Castel Del Piano, Roccalbegna, Isola Del Giglio, Monte Argentario, Castell'azzara, Montorgiali, Pancole, Valpiana, Civitella Marittima, La Dispensa, Borgo Santa Rita, La Torba, Diaccialone, Suvereto, Sabatina, Grotte Cavalieri, Montevitozzo, Carige Alta, Potassa, Frassine, Salaiola, Borgo Carige, Casone, Le Rocchette

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