The surroundings
Discover the area, nature, history, places of interest and suggestions
Its history
For centuries, farmers employed by large landowners continued to cultivate these difficult lands: nature here is fierce, unlike the countryside along the coast.
However, these hills had the advantage of not being afflicted by malaria and, after the agrarian reform that eliminated large estates, the Ente Maremma assigned houses and land to the farmers to cultivate. The architectural layout of these farms, built in the 1950s, is repeated, and examples can be seen nearby.
However, the density of buildings is low and the agricultural vocation has remained, allowing for the preservation of the environment and the maintenance of the rhythms dictated by nature.
The Tartuchino Maremma
Immersed in the beauty of the Tuscan Maremma, the Tartuchino farm, perched on top of a hill, overlooks a countryside dotted with olive groves, woods and fields: the view stretches from the Argentario to the mountains.
The area takes its name Tartuchino because it is much loved by turtles, which have always found a favourable habitat here: we often encounter them as they explore the scrub or cross the road, slowly and boldly.
The surroundings of Tartuchino
In the surrounding area, there are medieval villages where you can stroll through the atmosphere of times gone by and buy handicrafts, food products, and gifts. Six of the villages listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy are in the Grosseto area of the Tuscan Maremma (Pitigliano, Sovana, Santa Fiora, Montemerano, Giglio Castello, Porto Ercole) (https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/).
Nature
The sky we can admire today is free from light pollution: it is the same sky that the inhabitants of the Etruscan farmstead discovered a few hundred metres from here contemplated. Perhaps they too sat outdoors gazing at the stars and listening to the chorus of frogs or the calls of wild animals. Here, walking along the paths, you may encounter hares, roe deer, wild boars, foxes, porcupines, badgers, weasels and various species of birds. There have been successful projects to reintroduce birds that had disappeared from the area, such as the red kite and the Egyptian vulture. The presence of wolves in the area has also been reported, but sightings are extremely rare.
Trekking, biking and spa relaxation
For trekking enthusiasts, excellent guides can accompany you on walks and illustrate the wonders of the flora and fauna, as well as recount stories and legends linked to our territory. If, on the other hand, you are passionate about cycling, take a look at this link.
In the surrounding area, you can visit WWF nature reserves and parks with different ecosystems, from lagoons to mountains.
Sometimes it’s nice to just laze around and relax, even in the middle of winter, in the warmth of the sulphurous waters of the Terme di Saturnia. In the cold, the fog rises, enveloping the old mill and creating a very evocative landscape around the Cascatelle del Gorello, formed by the sulphurous spring located inside the spa.