The MEDIEVAL VILLAGES, set on the hills and rich in a thousand-year history, paved tiny streets, small churches, towered palaces, parishes and castles that bring an ancient time back to life.

At their feet…the sea, the soul of the Etruscan Coast lives in the history of this land, in its landscapes, colours the sunsets and fills the air with its fragrant scent.

The sea is alive and vital, populated by a rare flora and fauna. Its beaches enter the pinewoods and the groves of linden trees and tamarisks, whose perfumes spread and blend with the salty taste of the sea. The Mediterranean “macchia” with its characteristic tomboli that move further to the shore almost merging with the crystal sea.

 

MONTESCUDAIO



The village is hemmed in by the ruins of its ancient perimeter fence; trace of its medieval past are still evident both in flagging and rustic houses.

The perimeter fence shows the antique towers, among them the “Guardiola” tower from which it is possible to enjoy the gorgeous panorama on the Cecina Valley.

Montescudaio is part of the and features its own DOC which includes the municipalities of the Cecina Valley except of Volterra. In 1968 starts  the Wine Festival (first weekend of October) and in 1977 the wine obtains the DOC with two varieties: a red one with Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Malvasia etc… and a white one with Trebbiano, Malvasia and Vermentino that can be produced also as Vin Santo, Secco (=dry), Semisecco (=demi-sec) or Dolce (=sweet).

More than this Montescudaio is also City of Bread, the typical Tuscan bread, not salty and baked in wood stoves.



GUARDISTALLO



In the first years of the XX Century were discovered some graves dated 3000-2000 b.C. (Eneolithic Age) containing axes, copper daggers and arrowheads which demonstrate how the land was already populated during prehistoric times. The rests are stored in the Guarnacci Museum, in Volterra.

The toponym Guardistallo is attested for the first time in 1144 and comes from the Germanic words “warda” (guard) and “stall” (site) with the possible meaning of “place of guard”.

The strategic position, between the sea and the green hills, makes Guardistallo an ideal place for a holiday of relax on the seaside or for a full immersion in the beautiful countryside.

The land is particularly appreciated for olive oil which the Sagra della Crogiantina is dedicated to and where you can taste the olive oil on bread. Guardistallo is also the city of the thousand Crèches, set up all around the ancient village during Christmas holidays.



CASALE MARITTIMO



Casale rises on the top of a hill that dominates the Valley of Cecina. The sea is only 12km far and from the coast the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago are clearly visible. Around the village, and between it and the sea, a rich tilled countryside produces cereals, olive oil, honey and a fine wine: the DOC Montescudaio.

The village is part of the Wine Road Coast of the Etruscans, that narrates a land characterized by Etrurian and Roman rests, medieval villages, wooded hills, cultivated fields, landscapes that marry the green of the vegetation with the blue of the sea, and by a huge offer of natural and savoury typical foods.

In the nearby recent excavations brought to the light the rests of an Etrurian site dated VII Century b.C. and the necropolis of Casa Nocera, a burial complex made for the warrior princes.

In Casale, born around the year 1000, the old town is almost undamaged and this can be noticed thanks to stone buildings, the Castel and the circular structure of the perimeter fences.

 

Montenero

Set on a hill that dominates the sea and the haven of Livorno, is one of the most famous places of Tuscany due to its Sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna of the Grace.

It is said that a cripple shepherd, around the year 1345, founded a miraculous picture that asked him to lead it on the mount of Montenero. Once he heard this voice and he reached the top of the mountain the cripple found himself healed. Since then that picture of the Madonna never stopped to be source of devotion and faith; the Sanctuary is a destination for pilgrimage and visits for a great number of people. A wonderful panorama on the surrounding lands is just breathtaking. The rock of Meloria, memorable for the betrayal of the Count Ugolino(1284) and for the Battle between Genova and Pisa, the Valley of Livorno and Pisa. Southern the Island Elba, the Corsica and Sardinia: beautiful sunsets.

According to the ancient legends the name “Montenero” is due to its site, bristle with dark vegetation.



Castiglioncello

Suspended between the White Beaches, the cliffs cut by the wind, the medieval burgs, bays, creeks and hills of Mediterranean Macchia, <>Castiglioncello is the pearl of the Etruscan Coast, an enchanted place rediscovered during the centuries, even after the Etrurians, by Romans, nobles from Florence in the Middle-Ages, poets like D’Annunzio and great movie directors and actors.

The 50’s and 60’s saw Castiglioncello as the main character in foreground during the renovation of social life and customs in Italy; important movies of our history were born here.

Castiglioncello is now more than before art, culture and show business, the Festival of Castiglioncello
lasts for the whole year.

The Coast of Etruscans, Castiglioncello, a place, a space where life can still allow itself to proceed slower than
anywhere else.



Castelnuovo Gabbro Nibbiaia

Small villages rich in tradition and history with overlook on cork woods, chestnut forests and the Mediterranean Macchia from where you can find small paths that lead through the countryside to Livorno and the sea.

Castelnuovo ancient Roman military stronghold, provides a small Castle of the XIII Century and an evocative church of the seventeenth-century.

Gabbro>, often portrayed in the works of the Painter Silvestro Lega (Macchiaioli),
traces its line back to the Etrurian-Roman times and has monuments of great interest. Apart from the church, where you can find paintings of the ‘400, you should see the nice Manor Villas and, along the path at the border of the wood, a shrine and an ancient fountain of 1600.

From the small city of Nibbiaia you can admire an enchanting panorama on the sea, countryside and woods.



Rosignano Marittimo

On a beautiful green hill, this historical village is characterized by a Castle built around the year 1100 and fortified during the first half of 1500. Evocative and well preserved are the great towers, the wonderful cistern and the church dedicated to S. Ilario.

Along the small paved streets and in the squares of the Castle you will find a “Living Crèche” at Christmas times. The view that you can enjoy from the < Park of Poggetti, in the shadow of the Maritime Pines and Mediterranean Macchia,runs along the Coast, from Castiglioncello to the Gulf of Baratti.Nature trails and lanes in the green make you discover suggestive traces of the past like the washhouse at Fonte of Poggetti and the WindMill. Along the village interesting events rich in history and folklore take place, like those dealing with wine and food and all the typical products of the region.