TUSCANY MAREMMA: THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN CAPALBIO
If you are a curious and exigent tourist (just like me!), you probably have the constant need to travel through places full of attractions and at the same time visit lovely towns unaltered over centuries; this aim requires attention and effort because each destination boasts different features.
If you love my home country, Italy -well, who doesn’t ?!- this is one of the reasons to put the beautiful Capalbio (located in the famous area called Maremma Toscana) on the list of must-see places in Italy: this town represents the uniqueness of the natural and artistic Italian heritage, and you can’t miss it for anything in the world!
During my stay, I followed the valuable tips of the staff working at Locanda Rossa, a country house surrounded by soft hills and a green park, very close to the places I wanted to visit.
These are my personal three reasons to explore the authentic Tuscan Maremma, an experience suitable for every kind of traveler!
What to see in Capalbio Town
So let’s start from the beginning, or rather from the meaning of the name Capalbio: Caput Album, the Latin name, refers to the white alabaster stones scattered all over this area. Capalbio is also the most southern town of Tuscany. It represents the contrasts of Maremma because the countryside is very close to the town’s center, which bears witness to man’s work through the centuries.
There are many important historical phases of Capalbio; the medieval city wall encloses almost the entire hamlet, where churches and castles were built, while during Orsini’s family rule, the Aldobrandeschi Fortress was completed.
The nickname Little Athens was given to Capalbio because of the artistic importance assumed in the Renaissance period: this was a place to find inspiration for projects and artistic works.
The castle, built in the heart of the historic center, is worth a visit and offers the highest panoramic point on the surrounding landscape. The fortress dates back to the XII century, while Palazzo Collacchioni, leaning on the short side of the fortress, was built in the XIX century.
I also discovered that Giacomo Puccini stayed here and probably composed some parts of the famous Turandot opera, playing the fortepiano Conrad Graf, housed at Palazzo Collacchioni along with other antique furniture.
In front of the fortress, you can find the Church of St. Nicholas, definitely the most characteristic of Capalbio. It was restored several times, and today, you can admire the precious Renaissance frescoes in the side chapels. This church is a jewel that preserves traces of the main historical periods in Capalbio and has now become a romantic destination in Tuscany.
Where to go on the beach on the Capalbio coast
The Capalbio coast stretches over 12 km and is one of the wildest parts of the region because it is close to some nature reserves, and the Mediterranean scrub surrounds all the beaches.
There are beaches with fine sand and some sections with lovely coves, rocks, and deeper seabed. When visiting Capalbio you will have the privilege to choose between uncrowded beaches or popular destinations such as Porto Santo Stefano, not far from here!
In Porto Santo Stefano, the landscape changes slightly because here there is the Argentario promontory, where you can admire the terraces adorned with green vineyards, basically the symbol of Tuscany!
Sea, mountains, and green hills are the basic elements of this part of Tuscany especially loved by foreign travelers. I recommend you take advantage of a holiday in Capalbio to see the surroundings and the unsung gems.
The Tarot Garden: The harmony between man and nature
I’ve always been intrigued by the esoteric places, born from the dream (or perhaps should we say…madness?) of many artists, so I couldn’t skip a visit to the Tarot Garden, created by Niki de Saint Phalle.
She decided to follow the example of Parque Guell (she loved it too!), designed by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. The Garden of Bomarzo (near Viterbo), so she invited architects and artists such as Rigo Weber, Paul Wiedme, and Jean Tinguely, who built 22 giant statues of steel and concrete, covered with mirrors and bright ceramics, inspired by Tarot cards, the 22 Major Arcana.
The garden is located in the hamlet of Pescia Fiorentina in Garavicchio and is open from April 1st to October 15th. The official website offers all the information to get there and enjoy a special artsy day!
Thanks to this trip, I realized that Maremma isn’t only the land of butteri (local cowboys), horses, and endless horizons, but an area that holds pleasant surprises for those who want to go beyond the usual destinations.
Images Attribution: Giardino dei tarocchi 1 : ItaliaParchi.it | Capalbio porto santo stefano : Italia.it | Panorama da Capalbio: By Patafisik (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons| Castle : Castelsintheworld.wordpress.com
Comments
Lovely article. Thank you! One thing: Niki de St Phalle is a ‘she’ not a ‘he’.
Thanks, Danielle! I have rectified the mistake 🙂
Wow, amazing photos! Sadly, I didn’t discover this place until reading your article. I’ve been to Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, and Cinque Terre.
Tuscany is such an amazing place!, but also the Amalfi coast and cinque terre!