Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE COLLINE METALLIFERE
Massa Marittima's handsome buildings and artistic treasures are the legacy of the town's location in
the centre of Tuscany's Colline Metallifere (metal-producing hills). Mining occurred in these hills
over three millenniums, and has shaped the region's physical and cultural landscapes - a fact acknow-
ledged by the recent addition of the
Parco Nazionale Technologico Archeologico delle Colline
Metallifere Grossetane
(National Technological & Archaeological Park of the Colline Metallifere;
www.parcocollinemetallifere.it
)
to the Unesco-auspiced European Geopark Network. The national
park aims to preserve and promote the history of metallurgy and mining activities in the region.
The national park incorporates many sites, including
Le Biancane
( information office
10.30am-12.30pm & 3-5.30pm Tue-Sun summer, 10.30am-12.30pm Tue & Thu, 10.30am-12.30pm &
3-5pm Sat & Sun winter) in
Monterotondo Marittimo
, a geothermal park 21km north of
Massa Marittima where steam has been converted into power by vapour turbines since 1916, supply-
ing power to one million Tuscan households (and meeting 25% of Tuscany's overall energy demands).
Visitors can take a two-hour walk through wooded terrain belching steam from under the earth's crust
and sheltering amazing clumps of sulphur crystals.
Another site well worth a visit is the
Parco Minerario Naturalistico Gavorrano
(
www.parcominerario.it
;
Località Ex Bagnetti, Gavorrano; adult/reduced €10/8; 10am-1pm &
4-7pm Tue-Sun mid-Jun-mid-Sep; Sat & Sun only May-mid-Jun & mid-Sep-Dec, closed Jan-Apr), a
museum and education centre in a huge former pyrite mine that operated from 1898 to 1984 and was
once the largest mine in Europe. A section of the mine's 180km of underground galleries can be vis-
ited in a fascinating guided tour incorporating social history commentary and interactive displays.
Sleeping
The town's clutch of hotels leave a lot to be desired, but there is one apartment hotel
worthy of recommendation as well as some impressive B&Bs and
agriturismi
dotted
through the surrounding area.
La Fattoria di Tatti
( 05 6691 2001;
www.tattifattoria.it
;
Via Matteotti 10, Tatti; s €50-80, d €90-115; closed Nov-mid-
Mar; )
Built in the 18th century, this restored
fattoria
(farm building) in Tatti, a hill-
top village 25km southeast of Massa Marittima, offers eight simple but stylish rooms.
Manager Maria prepares a delicious breakfast each morning, and guests are welcome to
use the kitchen at other times. A nearby playground and pizzeria/trattoria make it a great
choice for families.
B&B
€
Residenza d'Epoca Palazzo Malfatti
MAP
APARTMENT
€
GOOGLE MAP
