Capalbio Castle, Capalbio (Italy) - Travel Guide
Take a tour of Capalbio Castle in Capalbio, Italy - part of the World's Greatest Attractions travel video series by GeoBeats.
Capalbio is a small town located near the coast of Tuscany, Italy and which features a beautiful medieval castle.
Borrowing the town's name, Capalbio Castle is situated on the peak of the hill overlooking the town.
The castle is remarkable, both in its design and in how well it has been preserved over the long years.
It was constructed in the twelfth century, several centuries after the town itself had been built.
Today, Capalbio has worked to preserve a great deal of the original atmosphere of an Italian medieval city.
From the castle, beautifully scenic views of the Tuscan countryside stretch out in every direction.
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Grosseto Tourist Attractions: 15 Top Places to Visit
Planning to visit Grosseto? Check out our Grosseto Travel Guide video and see top most Tourist Attractions in Grosseto.
Top Places to visit in Grosseto:
Pitigliano Centro Storico, Piazza del Castello di Montemerano, Duomo Cattedrale di San Cerbone, Spiaggia delle Caldane, Chiesa di San Giorgio, Cascate del Mulino, Giglio Island, Vie Cave Etrusche, Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore, Sorano Centro Storico, Giardino dei Tarocchi, Centro Storico di Capalbio, Parco Naturale della Maremma, Marina di Alberese, Area archeologica di Roselle
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Capalbio Tuscany Italy
Capalbio Tuscany Italy: the view from the Rocca Aldobrandesca castle tower.
Porto Ercole, Italy - Tuscan Coast
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Capalbio (Tuscany): the ancient medieval village (manortiz)
Capalbio and its beauties
Capalbio is a beautiful medieval town in southern Maremma. The Municipality is the most southwestern municipality in Tuscany along the border with Lazio. The characteristic village, natural surroundings and long sandy beaches attract thousands of visitors every year.
The name Capalbio is thought to come from the Latin caput album (bald head) which is the town's symbol, found in the sign on the Sienese Door depicting Siena's lion holding a bald head.
Its origins are extremely ancient as testified by the tombs dating back to the Bronze Age. Its history is traceable back to 806 A.D. when Capalbio became the property of the Tre Fontane Abbey in Rome, as per donation of Charlemagne.
Around 1200 teh village comes under the rule of the Aldobrandeschi clan and then under the rule of the Republic of Siena. During these years, the town accumulates wealth and many public works are completed, such as the fortress and the walls. In 1555, the invasion of Spanish troops throw Capalbio into a deep economic and demographic crisis, also due in large part to malaria.
When the village is annexed to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Capalbio loses its independence (which it takes back in 1960) and remains in the doldrums, worsened by bandits.
This negative past is now gone. Capalbio today is a charming medieval town, very lively all year round, but most of all, in the summer. From the ancient crenelated walls, rebuilt by the Sienese in order to defend the center, you can admire a breathtaking view of the Maremma area. The Fortress of Aldobrandeschi with its tall tower stands out over the red roofs of the stone homes. Next to it is the Collacchioni Palace dating back to the Renaissance period which displays the piano used by Giacomo Puccini when on holidays here.
In the main square you'll find the Church of San Nicola from the 12th-13th centuries decorated with Romanesque capitals and Renaissance frescoes. Outside the walls is the Oratory of the Providence with beautiful 16th century frescoes attributed to the school of Pinturicchio.
From May through October Capalbio and its surroundings are animated by festivals, feasts and events. The most important event is the Capalbio Cinema Internation Short Film Festival showcasing shorts from all around the world.
Capalbio is also renowned for the beautiful Garden of Tarot Cards, located just a few kilometers from the ancient center. The garden is famous for the large sculptures created by the French artist Niki de Sante Phalle depicting the 22 Major Arcanes of the tarot cards.
The surroundings are just as charming. Close to the sea is the Lake of Burano, a WWF protected area. This salty lagoon is separated from the Tyrrhenian Sea by a thin strips of sand dunes. Within, the massive sighting Tower of Buranaccio, built around 1600 by Spanish troops, stands tall over the area. Today, it is a private building and is accessible only from the sea.
The coast of Capalbio stretches over 12 kilometers and is characterized by long sandy beaches and crystal clear water, bordered by thick Macchia Mediterranea as the typical yellow colored Mediterranean scrub is called. There are few entrance points to the beaches but they are easy to reach by car from the Aurelia road (SS1) and you'll find both free beach areas as well as areas with sun chairs, umbrellas and more (for a price).
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Porto S. Stefano Maremma Tuscany Italy
A little paradise corner. Un angolo di paradiso.
Pablo Bisquera.
A day in Porto Ercole Maremma Tuscany Italy
A Touristic Port at Monte Argentario in the province of Grosseto Italy. A starting point for boat excursions on the Tuscan Arcipelago. Pablo Bisquera.
Sorano (Italy) Travel - Tuscan Town
Take a tour of Tuscan Town of Sorano in Sorano, Italy - part of the World's Greatest Attractions travel video series by GeoBeats.
Sorano, in northern Italy, is one of the country's many beautiful Etruscan villages.
This area was first settled in the Etruscan era, though no records exist from that far back.
The Romans took over the area in about the third century B.C. and began to construct the township.
Because of this long-reaching and diverse historical background, Sorano has many different architectural and artistic styles.
The streets of the town are characteristically narrow and the alleys are too small for modern automobiles.
Among Sorano's greatest sights is its fourteenth-century castle, located near the center of town.
Many wonderful attractions and festivals abound in this small hill town, set amidst the greenery of Tuscany.