Pitigliano's houses rising straight out of the tufa cliffs above a wooded gorge

Grosseto province

Villages of Tuscany Grosseto province

Pitigliano's houses rising out of the tufa cliff under a blue sky
Pitigliano · Photo: Costaetrusca, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Grosseto province

Grosseto is Tuscany’s largest province and its emptiest, with the fewest people to the square mile. This is the Maremma, once marsh and malaria country, drained over the centuries into farmland where the butteri, the Maremma cowboys, still work the cattle.

28 towns · 353 villages

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On the coast are the Parco della Maremma near Alberese, the Orbetello lagoon and the Monte Argentario promontory, with the islands of Giglio and Giannutri offshore. Inland, the tufa towns of Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana sit on cliffs of volcanic rock, cut through with Etruscan sunken roads, the vie cave. To the north-east rises Monte Amiata, an old volcano over 1,700 metres high, ringed with chestnut woods and villages such as Santa Fiora and Arcidosso. At Saturnia, warm sulphur water tumbles down the Cascate del Mulino, free for anyone.

It’s wilder and quieter than the rest of Tuscany, and all the better for it.

There are 28 towns (comuni) here, with 353 villages and hamlets between them. Each town has its own card below: open it to see its villages, in alphabetical order. The lists come from my own records, so the odd tiny hamlet may be missing.

Pitigliano's houses rising out of the tufa cliff under a blue sky
Pitigliano · Photo: Costaetrusca, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sorano's pastel houses climbing the hillside below its fortress
Sorano · Photo: Sailko, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The village of Saturnia on its wooded ridge above golden fields
Saturnia · Photo: LigaDue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Landscapes worth a detour

A narrow street of stone houses in the old centre of Montemerano — Grosseto province
Montemerano — Grosseto province.Photo: Petitverdot : Vinattieri Matteo · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Licence · Crop for display.
The walled village of Giglio Castello on its hilltop — Grosseto province
Giglio Castello — Grosseto province.Photo: Poul Krogsgård · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Crop for display.

28 towns 353 villages

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Arcidosso Campagnatico Capalbio Castel del Piano Castell’Azzara Castiglione della Pescaia Cinigiano Civitella Paganico Follonica Gavorrano Grosseto Isola del Giglio Magliano in Toscana Manciano Massa Marittima Monte Argentario Monterotondo Marittimo Montieri Orbetello Pitigliano Roccalbegna Roccastrada Santa Fiora Scansano Scarlino Seggiano Semproniano Sorano

Arcidosso and its castle on the hill above the woodsPhoto: Zyance, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Arcidosso

27 villages

Villages (27)

Abbandonato, Aiole, Bagnoli, Benedettini, Capannelle, Capenti, Cappuccini, Case d’Orifile, Case Nuove, Case Panardi, Case Rosse, Corniolo, Fornaci, Giunco, La Palazzina, Le Macchie, Macchie, Montelaterone, Pergole, Piane del Maturo, Pino, Rondinelli, Salaiola, San Lorenzo, Serra, Stribugliano, Zancona

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The stone apse and square tower of the pieve of San Giovanni Battista in CampagnaticoPhoto: Petitverdot: Matteo Vinattieri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Campagnatico

9 villages

Villages (9)

Arcille, Campino, Granaione, Migliorini, Montorsaio, Pianetto, Sabatina, Sant’Antonio, Sticcianese

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A small stone square in Capalbio with steps, flowers and a towerPhoto: Cristina Maioglio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Capalbio

9 villages

Villages (9)

Ansedonia Sud, Borgo Carige, Carige Alta, Chiarone, II Giardino, La Torba, Pescia Fiorentina, Selva Nera, Vallerana

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Castel del Piano in the distance, across olive grovesPhoto: Zyance Original; derivative work:Pierpao, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castel del Piano

9 villages

Villages (9)

Casidore, Collevergari, Leccio, Marrona, Montegiovi, Montenero, Pian del Ballo, Prato delle Macinaie, Tepolini

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Castell’Azzara’s houses crowded on a hilltop under a blue skyPhoto: LigaDue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castell’Azzara

4 villages

Villages (4)

Poggio Montone, Querciolaia, Selvena, Sforzesca

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Castiglione della Pescaia, TuscanyPhoto: trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castiglione della Pescaia

11 villages

Villages (11)

Ampio, Buriano, Le Palazzine, Pian d’Alma, Pian di Rocca, Punta Ala, Riva del Sole, Roccamare, Tirli, Vaticino, Vetulonia

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Cinigiano on top of a green hillPhoto: LigaDue, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cinigiano

10 villages

Villages (10)

Borgo Santa Rita, Castiglioncello Bandini, La Cava, Le Cosole, Monticello Amiata, Poggi del Sasso, Porrona, Sasso d’Ombrone, Villa, Volpaio

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Civitella Marittima’s houses and tower on its hillPhoto: LigaDue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Civitella Paganico

11 villages

Villages (11)

Aratrice, Campo al Pero, Casale di Pari, Casenovole, Civitella Marittima, Dogana, Fercole, Monte Antico, Paganico, Pari, Pietratonda

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The Gulf of Follonica from a rocky breakwater, with the town along the shorePhoto: Francesco Babboni, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Follonica

2 villages

Villages (2)

Località Casa Valli, Prato Ranieri

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Places to picture yourself

Cala Violina, Scarlino — Grosseto province
Cala Violina — Grosseto province.Photo: Francescomusico83 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Licence · Crop for display.
Parco della Maremma, Grosseto — Grosseto province
Parco della Maremma — Grosseto province.Photo: Denis Dascanio · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Licence · Crop for display.
The old houses of Gavorrano clustered on the hillsidePhoto: Christihan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gavorrano

20 villages

Villages (20)

Bagno di Gavorrano, Basse di Caldana, Bivio di Caldana, Bivio di Ravi, Boschetto, Caldana, Castel di Pietra, Castellaccia, Collacchia, Filare, Fonte Brizzi, Giuncarico, Grilli, I Forni, La Bruna, La Merlina – San Giuseppe, Miniera, Miniera Marchi, Potassa, Ravi

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Piazza Dante in Grosseto, with its arcades and pastel palazziPhoto: Francesco Bini, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Grosseto

44 villages

Villages (44)

Acquisti, Aiali, Alberese, Alberese Scalo, Bagno Roselle, Barbaruta, Batignano, Bellavista, Braccagni, Casoni del Terzo, Casotto di Venezia, Enaoli, Fattoria Acquisti, Fattoria Aiali, Fattoria Grancia, Fattoria Sterpeto, Grancia, Il Bottegone, Il Colombaio, Il Terzo, Istia d’Ombrone, La Principina, Laghi, Le Colonne, Le Stiacciole, Magazzini Alberese, Marina di Grosseto, Montepescali, Pianetto, Pingrosso, Poggio Cavallo, Poggione, Principina a Mare, Rispescia, Roselle, Roselle Terme, Rugginosa Nuova, Rugginosina, San Carlo, San Martino, Santa Maria di Rispescia, Spergolaia, Valle Maggiore, Voltina – Le Colonne

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Giglio Porto's houses along the water below the island's green hillsPhoto: trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Isola del Giglio

8 villages

Villages (8)

Arenella, Cannelle, Giannutri, Giglio Campese, Giglio Castello, Giglio Porto, Spalmatoio – Ischiaiola, Villaggio Grotte

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The tall medieval walls and a round tower of Magliano in ToscanaPhoto: Petitverdot: Matteo Vinattieri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Magliano in Toscana

7 villages

Villages (7)

Alberese Scalo, Cupi, Montiano, Pereta, Podere Corso, Poderone, Sant’Andrea

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Manciano on its hilltop, with the tower of the fortressPhoto: LigaDue, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Manciano

14 villages

Villages (14)

Campigliola, Capanne, La Sgrilla, Marsiliana, Montemerano, Poderi, Poderi di Montemerano, Poderi di Sotto – Poderi Poggetto, Poggio Capanne, Poggio Murella, San Martino sul Fiora, Saturnia, Sgrillozzo, Terme di Saturnia

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The terracotta roofs of Massa Marittima with the cathedral bell towerPhoto: Markus Bernet, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Massa Marittima

11 villages

Villages (11)

Capanne, Cura Nuova, Ghirlanda, La Pesta, Montebamboli, Niccioleta, Perolla, Pian dei Mucini, Prata, Tatti, Valpiana

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A wooded headland and a clear blue bay on the coast of Monte ArgentarioPhoto: Ceppicone, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Monte Argentario

17 villages

Villages (17)

Cala Moresca, Cala Piccola, Cannatelli, Convento Noviziato, Convento Padri Passionisti, Forte Filippo, Il Carrubo, Il Mascherino, Le Miniere, Lo Sbarcatello, Poggio Pertuso, Porto Ercole, Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Santo Stefano – S Liberata, Santa Liberata, Terrarossa, Torre dell’Acqua

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Monterotondo Marittimo on its hill, with wide hills beyondPhoto: LigaDue, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Monterotondo Marittimo

4 villages

Villages (4)

Frassine, Griccioni, Lago Boracifero, Lagoni

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Montieri at sunrise, seen from the air above the woodsPhoto: Guglielmo Giambartolomei, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Montieri

7 villages

Villages (7)

Boccheggiano, Campiano, Gabellino, Gerfalco, La Fabbrica, Le Fornaci, Travale

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Local character and hidden corners

Laguna di Orbetello, Orbetello — Grosseto province
Laguna di Orbetello — Grosseto province.Photo: Ulissevietato.9449 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Licence · Crop for display.
Bathers in the warm pools of the Cascate del Mulino below the old mill near the Terme di Saturnia — Grosseto province
Terme di Saturnia — Grosseto province.Photo: Markus Bernet · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons · Licence · Crop for display.
Orbetello on its strip of land in the lagoon, seen from the hills of Monte ArgentarioPhoto: Tulumnes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Orbetello

18 villages

Villages (18)

Albinia, Ansedonia, Barca del Grazi, Bengodi, Doganella, Fonteblanda, Giannella, La Parrina, La Polverosa, Orbetello Scalo, Polverosa, Quattrostrade, Querciolaie, Saline Sadun, San Donato Centro, San Donato Vecchio, Santa Liberata, Talamone

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Pitigliano's houses rising out of the tufa cliff under a blue skyPhoto: Costaetrusca, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pitigliano

3 villages

Villages (3)

Casone, IL Casone, La Fiora

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Roccalbegna below its rocky cragPhoto: sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Roccalbegna

8 villages

Villages (8)

Cana, Case Galli, Il Cecio, La Croce, Santa Caterina, Triana, Usi, Vallerona

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Roccastrada on its rocky hilltopPhoto: LigaDue, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Roccastrada

15 villages

Villages (15)

Case Barbieri, Collacchia, Il Poggiolo, Il Terzo, Le Coste, Montelattaia, Montemassi, Pian del Bichi, Piloni, Ribolla, Roccatederighi, Sassofortino, Sticciano, Sticciano Scalo, Torniella

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Santa Fiora spread along its ridge among the woods of Monte AmiataPhoto: sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Santa Fiora

7 villages

Villages (7)

Bagnolo, Bagnore, Convento, Gretini, Marroneto, San Bastiano, Selva

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Houses of Scansano above the wooded slopesPhoto: sailko, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Scansano

18 villages

Villages (18)

Baccinello, Bivio Montorgiali, Case Belardi, Chiesa Vecchia Giù, Fontalcarpine, Fonte al Carpine, La Croce, Montorgiali, Montorgiali Bivio, Murci, Pancole, Perazzeta, Poggioferro, Polveraia, Pomonte, Preselle, Saragiolo, Trasubbie

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Scarlino along its hilltopPhoto: LigaDue, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Scarlino

9 villages

Villages (9)

Casone, Imposto, Le Case, Palazzo Guelfi, Pian d’Alma, Portiglioni, Puntone, Scarlino Scalo, Zona 167 Scarlino

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Seggiano on its hill among the treesPhoto: Zyance, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Seggiano

7 villages

Villages (7)

Altore, Casa La Bruca, Le Capanne, Pescina, Piagge, Poggioferro, Trefonti

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Semproniano’s houses on a green hilltopPhoto: LigaDue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Semproniano

11 villages

Villages (11)

Belvedere, Casa Rigo, Catabbio, Cellena, Il Poggio, Marruchina, Petricci, Rocchette, Rocchette di Fazio, Scalabrelli, Verziliani

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Sorano's pastel houses climbing the hillside below its fortressPhoto: Sailko, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sorano

35 villages

Villages (35)

Casa della Fonte, Casa Faini, Casa Pennacchi, Casa Testi, Casa Topi – Gabrielli, Case Giovagnoli, Case Mariotti, Case Orienti, Case Rocchi, Case San Leopoldo, Casetta, Castell’Ottieri, Cerretino, Cerreto, Elmo, Grotte Cavalieri, Il Poderetto, Il Poggio, La Dispensa, Le Capannelle, Le Pianacce, Le Porcarecce, Montebuono, Montesorano, Montevitozzo, Montorio, Pratolungo, Ronzinami, San Giovanni delle Contee, San Quirico, San Valentino, Sant’Anna, Sordino, Sovana, Valle Castagneta

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More of Grosseto

Small waves rippling across the sandy shallows at Rocchette beach — Grosseto province
Spiaggia delle Rocchette — Grosseto province.Photo: Cristiano64 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Licence · Crop for display.
The small square of Sovana with the old town hall and its clock tower — Grosseto province
Sovana — Grosseto province.Photo: Sailko · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Licence · Crop for display.

Back to the list of towns

I’m adding proper pages for the towns and villages bit by bit, so do pop back. For the rest of Tuscany, head back to Villages of Tuscany.

Header photo: Pitigliano on its tufa cliff (photo: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons).