Grosseto is a beautiful, atmospheric Italian city located in picturesque Tuscany. Immersed in history and surrounded by beautiful nature, this place is perfect for those who want to experience the rich culture of Italy. The historic center of Grosseto hides a maze of narrow streets and ancient buildings that transport visitors to ancient times. The city’s main square, Piazza Dante, is the heart of the city, where locals meet to drink coffee or watch people pass by. It is also from here that you can visit the impressive Duomo di San Lorenzo cathedral, a symbol of the city’s architectural splendor.
Grosseto is a city and comune in Italy, in the Tuscany region, in the province of Grosseto, located 12 km from the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
History
The development of Grosetto dates back to the Etruscan period, while more advanced development of road structures occurred during the Roman Empire. One of the Roman remains is the Via Aurelia road, which still exists today. During the Middle Ages, after many of the main Roman and Etruscan villages were abandoned, Grosseto expanded. Then the Medici dynasty took control of the city. The place has a rich history, as exemplified by the stunning Piazza Dante, which is the city’s main square and home to many important buildings.
Piazza Dante – Dante Square
Piazza Dante (also known as Piazza delle Catene, lit. ’Chains’ Square’) is the main public square in Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy. The piazza is located in the city’s historic centre, included within the perimeter of the 16th-century city walls. It is home to the city’s main representative buildings, including the St. Lawrence Cathedral, the Palazzo Comunale (City Hall) and the Palazzo Aldobrandeschi, seat of the Province of Grosseto. The northern section of the square is called Piazza Duomo, since it is overlooked by the cathedral’s facade.
Palazzo Tognetti – Tognetti Palace
Palazzo Tognetti is a palace in Grosseto, Italy. It is an Art Nouveau style building on three floors located along Corso Carducci. The palace was commissioned by the Tognetti brothers who owned a news agency in Grosseto. It was designed by engineer-artist Giuseppe Luciani and inaugurated in 1910. It has richly decorated façades and it is considered one of the best examples of Stile Liberty in Grosseto and southern Tuscany.
Maremma Natural History Museum
Natural Park of Maremma (Parco Naturale della Maremma): The walks and hikes in the Natural Park of Maremma, a pristine coastal reserve known for its diverse ecosystems, wildlife, and scenic landscapes. You can explore trails leading through forests, marshes, and along the coastline, with opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
Archaeological Museum and Art of Maremma
Grosseto Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico e d’Arte della Maremma): The rich archaeological heritage of Grosseto and the surrounding Maremma region at the Grosseto Archaeological Museum. Visitors can explore exhibits showcasing artifacts from prehistoric, Etruscan, and Roman civilizations, including pottery, sculptures, and ancient coins.
Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Gesù – Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sacro Cuore di Gesù is a minor basilica in Grosseto. The church was commissioned by the bishop of Grosseto Paolo Galeazzi, who intended to pay homage to the fallen in the 1943 Grosseto bombing. On 26 April 1943, the day of Easter Monday, the city was bombed by the Americans, who concentrated on targeting civilians. 134 civilians died that day, especially children who were playing in a funfair set up outside the city walls.
Museo Collezione Gianfranco Luzzetti – Gianfranco Luzzetti Collection Museum
Gianfranco Luzzetti Collection Museum is an art museum located in the historic center of Grosseto. The museum was inaugurated on 22 December 2019 and houses a collection of paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo periods, donated to the city by the antiquarian and collector Gianfranco Luzzetti (1932–2023), originally from Giuncarico. Works by various artists are on display, including Antonio Rossellino, Giovanni Fei, Giambologna, Santi di Tito, Passignano, Cigoli, Rutilio Manetti, Giovanni Antonio Galli, Pier Dandini, Camillo Rusconi and Corrado Giaquinto. The art gallery is located in the seventeenth-century former convent of the Poor Clares, in Strada Vinzaglio, and is part of the “Le Clarisse” cultural center of the municipality of Grosseto.
Tarot Garden
In the heart of Maremma, between the hills of Capalbio and the sea, hides a very special artistic park: the Tarot Garden. Born from the imagination of French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle, the Garden gathers her statues inspired by the figures of the major arcana of the tarot deck, which give life to an esoteric path, inspired by Gaudi’s marvelous Parc Güell in Barcelona.
Grosseto Cathedral
Grosseto Cathedral (Duomo di Grosseto): The Grosseto Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Lawrence, and admire its beautiful Romanesque architecture, ornate interiors, and impressive artworks. Guided tours provide insights into the cathedral’s history, religious significance, and notable features.
