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Public Facts about Castiglione della Pescaia
Castiglione della Pescaia is an ancient seaside town in the province of Grosseto, in Tuscany, central Italy. The modern city grew around a medieval 12th century fortress and a large fishery, from which it acquired its designation. Today Castiglione is a very popular tourist destination with attractions that include beaches, natural parks, biking trails, historical Etruscan archaeological sites, a panoramic mediaeval hamlet as well as the natural reserve Diaccia Botrona, a swampy humid environment of historical relevance whose endangered wildlife comprise pink flamingoes, mallards and ducks. Castiglione della Pescaia is home to the second most expensive street in Italy for property prices, with average values exceeding those of homes in every other Italian street except one, also in Tuscany.
Castiglione della Pescaia Walking Tour and Top Attractions by Still Wanderer
Learn about Best Places to See in Castiglione della Pescaia in this Guide by Places to See In
Between the blue of the sea and the green of the hills lies Castiglione della Pescaia. The town, a renowned seaside resort, is known for its beautiful beaches and extensive pine groves that stretch as far as Marina di Grosseto, ending in the charming Pineta del Tombolo.
Perched on a spur of Monte Petriccio, the medieval town is protected by remarkable walls with plenty of towers, gates and a 15th-century castle. Centuries past to the east of the tower there once stood Lake Prile, and next to the water an Etruscan settlement, which became Portus Traianus in Roman times.
With the passing of the centuries, the lake dried up and the vast swampland that formed there was reclaimed thanks to work commissioned by the Grand Duke of Tuscany Leopoldo. In the place of the ancient lake now there stands the Diaccia Botrona nature reserve, regarded as the most important wetland in Italy and acknowledged as an area of international importance for the rare ecosystem sited there.
Castiglione della Pescaia is an old fishermen’s village, whose picturesque harbour is still the mooring place for sailor every night with their vibrant catch, making way for the countless yachts that cast anchor in this sought-after resort. The town is nestled in greenery, home to many animals. The bird life here is particularly interesting, as too is the rich and variegated flora.
The Castiglione della Pescaia area is perfect for long walks, horse and bike rides, all of which benefit from the trails and roads that head deep into moss and pinewoods. The seawater is a balm to the senses and the long stretches of fine, light sandy beaches extend to the edge of the pine groves. Sun worshippers and sport lovers love the sailing and the refreshing seaside lifestyle at Castiglione della Pescaia.
The beaches, even the most isolated ones, provide the perfect getaway from the noise and crowds at other bathing establishments along the Tuscan coast. While you are in the vicinity, check out the surrounding area, such as Vetulonia, one of the most important Etruscan settlements, whose burial ground and archaeological museum are worth visiting. Venture to Tirli, a town that relates how life in the Maremma used to be, famous for its authentic rustic food.
Then there’s Buriano, with its medieval castle and stunning views over the Maremma. Lastly, 15 kilometres from Castiglione della Pescaia stands Punta Ala, the famous luxury tourist destination, known for its harbour and decked out with some of the most state-of-the-art equipment in the whole of the Mediterranean.
The flatlands connecting Castiglione della Pescaia and Grosseto were a salt water lake (lago Prile) during Etruscan reign, which slowly turned into marshlands. The Romans kept draining the area until nature had the better of everybody in the Middle Ages. The evolution of the marshlands can be studied at CASA XIMENES (also known as Casa Rossa, the red house), which provides guided visits by boats through the Diaccia Botrona nature reserve and walks for nature lovers (in summer only in the late afternoon, ask for timing at the tourist office).
The best time for birdwatching is from October to spring, but flamingo colonies live in the reserve all through the year. ( Castiglione Della Pescaia – Italy ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Castiglione Della Pescaia .
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Travel Video Guide on Castiglione della Pescaia by Places to See In
Geography of Castiglione della Pescaia
- Castiglione della Pescaia consists of a High City built on the hill that ends a chain of hills towards the sea, and of a Low City at the foot of the former, straddling the drainage canal and marina that form the central part of town. Castiglione is located in the South-Western portion of Tuscany, with a view of the islands of Elba and Giglio, and of the promontory of Argentario. The hills that back the city slope into beaches that front the town in its entirety.
- To the East of Castiglione is the rich floodplain of the Ombrone river. Nothing much remains of the ancient lake Prile that used to be Castiglione’s lifeblood. Despite Castiglione’s popularity as a holiday destination, the town’s natural surroundings – including the sea, marshes and pinewoods typical of the Maremma area – have been meticulously preserved and are today forming protected natural reserves.
- Notably, in 2015 Castiglione’s sea was nominated as Italy’s most beautiful by the national non-governmental environmentalist organisation Legambiente, which not only praised the town’s seawater cleanliness but also its environmental efforts and efficient recycling.
- Castiglione is the most visited seaside destination in Tuscany and it ranks second among the most visited cities in the region, being only preceded by Florence. In 2019, approximately 1.6 million tourists visited Castiglione reaching an historic record. The town is also one of the most visited in Italy.
