Surroundings

POMARANCE

The area of Pomarance is immersed in nature, especially idyllic oak and chestnut forests, from the village which extends along the slopes of the hill and from Soffioni Boraciferi which is in the area. In modern times, these have been exploited, creating the modern Geothermoelectric Centres in the area of Larderello. Well linked to the Etruscan coast and to the inland areas such as Florence, Siena and the Chianti region, it is located amid nature and is the ideal location for quiet and relaxing holidays

FLORENCE

It is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance and is recognised throughout the world as one of the cradles of art and architecture, with its numerous historic buildings, monuments and rich museums (including the Uffizi Gallery, the Palatina Gallery, the Bargello and the museums of Palazzo Pitti), it is renowned as one of the most beautiful and important cities in the world. Florence is located in a picturesque setting, at the centre of a type of amphitheatre, surrounded on three sides by the hills of Careggi (to the north), Fiesole (to the north-east) Settignano (to the east), Arcetri, Poggio Imperiale and Bellosguardo (to the south). The plain upon which the city is built is crossed by the Arno (the city itself is split between upper Valdarno and lower Valdarno) and of smaller waterways such as the Mugnone, the Terzolle and the River Greve.Distance: 1hr15 mins

VOLTERRA
The city, famous for the extraction and work on alabaster, preserves a notable historical centre of Etruscan origins (the Porta all’Arco remains from this era) with Roman ruins and mediaeval buildings, such as the Cathedral and the Palazzo dei Priori on the piazza of the same name, the central nervous system of the area. The name is obviously of Etruscan origins and was subsequently adapted to the Latin volaterrae. Of note is the presence of the suffix vel which is particularly Etruscan and means height.Distance: 35 minutes

PISA

Always a maritime city, it has been one of the most important naval centres in Italy, and we must remember that it was part of the Maritime Republic. Among the mandatory tourist highlights, there is the famous Leaning Tower, the Baptistry, but also the Church of St Frediano, the Guelph Tower and the Cathedral of St Peter the Apostle.Distances: 1 hour

LIVORNO

Located along the Ligurian Sea coast, Livorno is one of the most important Italian ports, both as a commercial stopover as well as tourist one, it is an industrial centre with national importance and, of all the Tuscan cities, it is usually held as the youngest, even though the area has historical monuments from times long passed, and which have survived the massive bombardment of the Second World War.Distance: 1hr15 mins

SAN GIMIGNANO
For the characteristic mediaeval architecture of its historical centre, it has been declared by UNESCO as world heritage listed. The site of San Gimignano, despite some redevelopment in the nineteenth and twentieth century, is more or less intact in its twelfth and thirteenth century style and is one of the best examples in Europe of urban organisation at the communal age.Distance: 45 minutes

THE ETRUSCAN COAST
The Etruscan Coast includes the entire continental shore of the province of Livorno, from south to north, taking in the areas of Piombino, San Vincenzo, Castagneto Carducci, Bibbona, Cecina, Rosignano Marittimo and Livorno. It is called the Etruscan Coast for its numerous Etruscan necropolises, present mainly between the Gulf of Baratti and Populonia, which was originally the only Etruscan city along the coastal strip; the name extended to include the hinterland of the province of Livorno, in large part corresponding with Maremma of Livorno (the old Maremma of Pisa).Distance: 1 hour

ROCCA SILLANA A POMARANCE
The mighty Fortress of Sillano rise on a 530 meters high position to dominate a vast territory that includes the provinces in Siena, Pisa and Grosseto. These position has been always strategically important to check the valley of the river Cecina and the surrounding minor valleys, so much that the legend wants to date the origin of the small fortress in Roman times, on the occasion of the civil war between Mario and Silla, and that from this last derive its name (Silla-Sillano).
The historical testimonies came up to us confirms that the Fortress is of a very ancient epoch: The tower and the inside part of the enclosure would have to go back to the 13th century while the external bastionated perimeter, performed to reinforcement of the preexisting wall curtains, can be dated certainty to the second half of 1400th.
Before reaching the real fortress we meet the first defenses around thirty meters under the vertex of the hill. They were constituted by a strengthened gate with annexed a tower, both build in bricks, on the road that conducted under the walls of the principal fortress. Today only few traces of both remains. Reached the summit of the hill we find us under the thick bastionated enclosure of the fortress. Particular are the four leaning turrets built on the angles of the quadrilateral and the curvature of the curtain. The lower part of the walls is built in stone, the highest in bricks. The fortification remained abandoned for centuries, nevertheless externally we can see it still under good conditions. Inside the show is unfortunately different: the courtyard is invaded by the vegetation and the plan of stamping results notably anymore high due to the sediment deposits. Only thanks to the recent works of restoration, still today in action, are returning to the light some inside halls, surely destined at the time as stores and barracks for the garrison.
Over all soar the ancient nucleus of the fortress: a watch tower in stone of square form with the gate of access at the level of the first floor, now walled but still well visible. Once climbed on the bastions, watching out because the parapet has disappeared and the zone is particularly windy, we can easily understand the strategic importance of the position and enjoy us a splendid sightseeing: in the clear days the look can space up to the sea. Distace: 25 minutes