Monteverdi Marittimo
Discover Monteverdi Marittimo!
Hi everyone, today I will talk about Monteverdi Marittimo, a small municipality with only 762 inhabitants located in the province of Pisa in Tuscany, in the hinterland of the Maremma Pisana. Despite its modest size, Monteverdi Marittimo has a lot to offer, both from a naturalistic and historical-cultural point of view. So, come with me and discover this beautiful location!
Physical Geography
Territory
The town is located near the Metalliferous Hills, at an altitude of 364 meters above sea level, making its landscape suitable for outdoor activities such as trekking and mountain biking. In addition, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the lush mountains in the area.
Monteverdi Marittimo borders the province of Livorno to the west and the province of Grosseto to the south, making it a strategic place for those who want to visit Tuscany. The city of Pisa is 90 km away, Livorno 85 km, Grosseto 70 km, and Piombino about 40 km. In addition, the Tyrrhenian coast is only 15 km away as the crow flies.
Climate
The climate of the municipality is characterized by a high atmospheric diffusivity, as reported by CNR Ibimet in 2002.
History
Monteverdi Marittimo has a very ancient history and preserves numerous testimonies of its past. Among the ruins found near the village, you can admire remains of a Roman road. The origins of the village, instead, date back to the High Middle Ages, in particular to the founding of the abbey of the monastery of San Pietro in Palazzuolo, which took place in 754 AD by the work of Wilfrido (Sant Walfredo), a Lombard nobleman son of the gastaldo Ratchausi of Pisa and ancestor of the Della Gherardesca family.
The castle of Monteverdi was built before the year 1000 and certainly after the abbey. The history of the monastery and the castle was not always parallel: in fact, while the inhabitants of the village submitted to Volterra, the Benedictine monks of San Pietro came under the protection of Massa Marittima. The castle became the property of the Bonsignori in the XII and XIII century, but later passed under the control of Volterra, which definitively conquered Monteverdi in 1472.
The monastery gradually lost importance until its abandonment in 1561, after which the castle hosted some monks from the abbey of Vallombrosa. In 1665 the Grand Duke of Tuscany Ferdinando II de' Medici erected the Monteverdi territory into a grand-ducal fief, delivering it to the noble Volterra family of Incontri.
Tourism
Monteverdi Marittimo is a perfect place for a vacation dedicated to nature and history. The area is characterized by a green hilly landscape, suitable for outdoor activities such as trekking and mountain biking. In addition, birdwatching enthusiasts will find numerous observation points to admire the local fauna.
The most important historical monuments of the municipality are the castle, the chapel of Madonna delle Grazie, and the church of San Lorenzo. The castle has recently been restored and can be visited by appointment. The church of San Lorenzo, instead, is very ancient and dates back to the end of the XIII century. Inside you can admire frescoes dating back to the XV century.
Not to mention the local cuisine! The typical cuisine of Monteverdi Marittimo is based on traditional Tuscan dishes, such as ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, and bistecca alla fiorentina. In addition, local products, such as the famous Morellino di Scansano wine, are at home here.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Monteverdi Marittimo is a place that deserves to be discovered. A city full of history, surrounded by breathtaking nature and that offers the opportunity to taste excellent dishes from the Tuscan tradition. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this beautiful municipality!
