ROCCASTRADA
Discover the village of Roccastrada
It is a must-see stop during a trip to explore the Metalliferous Hills of Tuscany.
Roccastrada was founded as a medieval village but became a fortress due to the nearby copper and silver mines. Today this small town has no major monuments but is known for its religious art. Head to St. Nicholas Church on IV November Street to see a gilded wooden tabernacle covered with a rich painting of the image of Christ among angels. There is also a faded fresco of the Annunciation by two local artists from the same century in this church. In the Church of Our Lady of Grace on Convent Street, even more beautiful 16th-century frescoes can be seen. In Clock Square there is a small exhibit on Monteregio wine and the tools used by winemakers throughout the seasons in the Vine and Wine Museum (Monday-Thursday and Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday: 4 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; 0564 563376; $3). Further down Corso Roma, the Teatro dei Concordi ( 0564 564086) hosts a busy program of concerts and operas.
Also runs through Roccastrada The Monteregio Wine Route .
Around Roccastrada
Roccastrada is the capital of an idyllic small-town community where the inhabitants are genuine and the streets are pleasantly free of tourists. The best are Ribolla, Sticciano and Montemassi.
The Metalliferous Hills National Park
The Metalliferous Hills National Park is located in Roccastrada and offers a fascinating journey spanning five thousand years of history, mining, nature and innovation. Recognized by UNESCO as a Tuscan Mining Geopark, this multi-thematic park traces the history of mining and metallurgy that have marked this Maremma area for centuries. The exploration of mining and underground work leads visitors along a path that touches on various themes, including archaeology, nature, the environment, the architectural heritage of villages and castles, and of course industrial archaeology.
The park covers a vast territory that includes seven municipalities in Maremma, located in the northern area of the province of Grosseto, including Roccastrada. Each municipality has a“Park Gate,” which is a welcome center that is also the starting point for itineraries and guided tours. These centers also offer various services, including educational workshops, seminars, vocational training courses, School-Work Alternation activities, and research opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
EVENTS
Palio of Roccatederighi
August 14
In nearby Roccatederighi, one of the oldest palii in Maremma is held: it is a donkey race that dates back to 1295 and still follows the same medieval rules.
How to get to Roccastrada
By car: If you are coming from the north (e.g., from Florence), you can take the A1 highway to Firenze Impruneta, then take the Firenze-Siena freeway and continue to Siena. From Siena, take the state road SS223 in the direction of Grosseto. From Grosseto, take provincial road SP159 in the direction of Roccastrada.
If you are arriving from the south (for example from Rome), you can take the A12 motorway to Civitavecchia, then the SS1 Aurelia highway to Grosseto. From Grosseto, take provincial road SP159 in the direction of Roccastrada.
