Montieri
Montieri: history and physical geography
Montieri is an Italian municipality located in the province of Grosseto in Tuscany. The town has a population of approximately 1,186 and is situated in the area of the Grosseto Metalliferous Hills. This region was famous for its large deposits of pyrite, lead, and silver, which were exploited until the 1990s when the Campiano mine near the hamlet of Boccheggiano was closed. The territory of Montieri is characterized by large wooded areas, which in the past represented the main source of fuel for mining activities and the essential raw material for the construction of galleries and buildings around the mines.
Physical geography of Montieri:
The Poggio di Montieri (1,052 meters high) has always been of great interest from a geological and naturalistic point of view; its geological formation is similar to that of the nearby Cornate di Gerfalco: rich in various species of alberese stone (or "calcina stone") and limestone. The Cornate di Gerfalco, with a height of 1,060 meters, constitute the highest relief of the Metalliferous Hills. The Cecina river originates from the hydrographic basin of the Cornate, Carline, and Poggio di Montieri. From the southern slope of the Poggio di Montieri, a branch of the Merse river called Savioli originates, and on the summit stands a monumental iron cross erected in 1961. At lower altitudes, given the relative proximity to the sea and the low altitude, Mediterranean species such as holm oaks, cork oaks, and an underbrush of heather and broom live; as altitude increases, submontane essences such as oaks, turkey oaks, and extensive chestnut groves appear.
The mining history of Montieri:
The travel reports from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries refer to the numerous minerals found in the area, including the crystal formations known as the "Montieri crystals" mentioned by Targioni Tozzetti in 1770. In ancient dumps placed near wells now filled with accumulated material, the presence of galena and silver tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and other minerals was noted by Emanuele Repetti in the first half of the nineteenth century. Currently, at the Monte Senario location, there is a quarry of alum and iron sulfate, as well as the processing of inert rock materials, while in other areas, clay removal for brick manufacturing is practiced.
Climate of Montieri:
Montieri has a sub-Apennine climate, adapting to neighboring mountain zones. The 2,500 degree days recorded in the center of Montieri allow for the heating of houses throughout the municipal territory, classified as heating area, during the period of October 15th to April 15th for a maximum of 14 hours a day. The average annual temperature varies from +11.7 °C in Gerfalco (732 meters above sea level) to +13.4 °C in Travale (521 meters above sea level), passing through the +12.1 °C in Boccheggiano at 664 meters above sea level, while the average annual precipitation, although almost everywhere exceeding 1,000 mm, varies from 1,050 mm in Gerfalco to 1,510 mm in Sticciano Scalo due to the stau effect caused by the nearby mountain peaks of the Metalliferous Hills.
Conclusions:
Montieri is a town founded on its mining history, which strongly influenced the territory and its geological conformation. Today, Montieri represents a point of geological and environmental interest, thanks to its quarries of alum and iron sulfate and extensive wooded areas, which represent the main attraction of the area. Furthermore, thanks to its sub-Apennine climate, Montieri is a perfect destination for those who love hiking in the mountains and enjoy the beauty of untouched nature.
