Fonteblanda
Welcome to Fonteblanda!
Hello friends, today I will talk about one of the most interesting villages in the municipality of Orbetello, in Tuscany: Fonteblanda. This small town is located at the foot of Poggio Talamonaccio, near the Gulf of Talamone, and is situated south of the Uccellina Mountains in the Maremma Natural Park. Fonteblanda is only 13 meters above sea level, making it an ideal place to spend a beach vacation.
A history rich in artifacts
Fonteblanda has been inhabited since the Iron Age, as evidenced by the numerous artifacts found in the area, especially near the beach of Bengodi. In fact, the town was originally founded in the Etruscan period as a port of Talamone, and various testimonies from that era have been found, such as a necropolis dating back to the 2nd century AD. The Campo Regio area, on the other hand, was the scene of the Battle of Talamone in 225 BC, in which the Romans defeated the Gauls supported by the Etruscans. Fonteblanda was also inhabited in Roman times, but suffered the sackings of the Goths in the 5th century AD. It later passed under the dominion of Siena in the 13th century and in 1557 became part of the State of the Presidi, before becoming a hamlet of Orbetello.
Monuments to visit
If you find yourself in Fonteblanda, I recommend visiting the Church of Santa Maria Goretti, the parish church of the hamlet, which began to be built in 1950 and was consecrated only in 1980. The original project is by the engineer Ernesto Ganelli. You can also visit the Church of Santa Maria dell'Osa, also known as the Church of Santa Beata Vergine Maria di Pompei, located inside the hotel ''Corte dei Butteri'' along the beach of Osa. This building was built in 1963 according to the project of the architect Ico Parisi, and underwent a renovation in 1991. Among the military architectures, on the other hand, you can admire the Tower of Talamonaccio, located on Poggio Talamonaccio, built in the Middle Ages as a watchtower and then reinforced by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Currently, this tower is a private residence and famous for having been used as a set for the movie ''Quantum of Solace'' in 2008. Among the archaeological sites, however, you can visit Poggio Talamonaccio, which constituted the primitive settlement of Talamone during the Etruscan-Roman era.
Natural beauty
Fonteblanda certainly does not lack natural areas to admire. The biotope of Campo Regio, which is part of the regional interest site (SIR) B20, is a perfect place for a walk immersed in nature. From a more curative point of view, on the other hand, you can visit the Terme dell'Osa, a thermal complex known since ancient times by the Etruscans and Romans.
A growing community
As you can read from the table, Fonteblanda is a locality in continuous demographic evolution. The population of the town has grown over the years: in 1961 there were 305 inhabitants, in 1981 717, in 2001 904 and, finally, in 2011 1088. The hamlet has about 1,390 inhabitants, and each of them contributes to the life of this community.
Renowned beaches
The beaches of Bengodi, dell'Osa and della Puntata, located in Fonteblanda, are undoubtedly among the most beautiful and equipped beaches in the area. In summer, these beaches attract a large number of tourists from all over Europe. If you love nature and are looking for a charming place to spend your holidays, Fonteblanda is definitely the destination for you.
In conclusion, if you pass through Tuscany, you cannot miss a visit to Fonteblanda, a place that will enchant you with its natural beauty and its millenary history. Be ready to lose yourself in its alleys and discover every corner of this charming hamlet.
