Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
Parco Archeologico di Baratti e Populonia
( 05 6522 6445;
www.parchivaldicornia.it
;
Necropoli or Acropoli adult/child €10/7, entire park adult/
child/family €15/11/39; 9.30am-7.30pm Jul & Aug, 10am-6pm Tue-Sun Mar-Jun, Sep & Oct, closed
Nov-Feb; )
Absolutely fascinating and a real highlight is this vast green archaeological
park where five marked walking trails lead to various unearthed remains of several
Etruscan tombs. Particularly impressive are the gigantic circular tumulus tombs in the
Nec-
ropoli di San Cerbone
immediately in front of the visitors centre - the
Tomba dei Carri
is an
astonishing 28m in diameter.
Great for families (bring your own picnic to make a day of it), the easy
Via delle Cave
trail
(two hours) leads through shady woodland to the quarries from which the soft ochre
sandstone was extracted and into which tombs were later cut.
More demanding is the
Via della Romanella
(Metal Working Trail; 2½ hours) which leads
to the Etruscan acropoli (acropolis) of Populonia. Digs here have revealed the foundations
of an Etruscan temple dating to the 2nd century BC, along with its adjacent buildings. If
you don't want to walk, you can drive here - follow signs for
Populonia
, a pretty three-
street hamlet still owned by a single family and protected by a 15th-century castle with a
tower that can be scaled for a fabulous panorama of park and coast.
Bring a sun hat, cream and sturdy shoes.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
Sleeping & Eating
Canessa
( 05 652 9530;
www.canessacamere.it
;
Baratti; d €70-100, meals €30; lunch & dinner, closed Mon
Sep-Jun)
What makes this contemporary seafood restaurant so unique is the 15th- century
watchtower that the modern building is wrapped around. Cuisine is fishy and fresh, and
huge windows look onto the lapping waves. Should you fall in love with quaint Baratti
(likely), Canessa has four rooms up top with sea views and romantic terraces on which to
savour the outstanding location.
SEAFOOD
€€
