Grosseto is a noble city is the vital centre of the Maremma. Grosseto Town of Etruscan origin
Capital of Grosseto province in Tuscany region, north-central Italy, 110 km/68 mi southwest of Florence; population (1991) 71,300. It is the commercial centre of the Maremma district, and there is a large trade in agricultural produce. Grosseto has a 13th-century cathedral (restored in the 19th century) and 15th-century ramparts, now converted into a promenade. Nearby are the ruins of the ancient Etruscan city of Rusellae (Roselle).

Grosseto lies in a green plain traced by the flow of the Ombrone and its origins go back to the powerful Etruscan and Roman city of Roselle.

Walking among the military, civil and religious monuments, you are able to cover twelve centuries of history and envision each of the periods and rulers as they are unveiled, layer by layer, before you.

Imaginary time travel takes place as you see the Etruscan ships sail Lake Prile, teeming with fish and stretching from the coast to the city of Rosella and submerging the whole Grosseto area.

Originally, in fact, there was a large sea gulf surrounded Grosseto and that was gradually transformed over the centuries into a lagoon with marshes and cane thickets. The city began to expand about 935 after the devastation of Roselle by the Saracens and became civitas in 1138 when Innocent II transferred the Episcopal seat there. In the 11 th century it became the feud of the Aldobrandeschi family, then later fell under Sienese dominion and finally under the rule of Cosimo de1 Medici in 1559.

The noble Florentine family encouraged the city's economic recovery by excavating canals for land reclamation and constructing the city wall and buildings of public utility. Later, the arrival of the Grand dukes of Lorraine (18th century) favoured the definitive rebirth of the city. The centre, with its hexangonal wall, the Cathedral and the Cassero Senese, tells us the story of the city's past. The Medicean city walls have come down to us almost intact and are a defensive circuit equipped with 6 bastions serving as lookouts. The Fortress looms above all else, a fortified citadel dominated by the massive Cassero Senese dating from 1344 and enclosed within the wall in the 6th century.

Where is the town of Grosseto: is located in the middle of Grosseto province.

How to reach Grosseto town: From the north (Livorno or Pisa) with the SS2 direction south Rome. Distance from Livorno is 130 Km, from Pisa 155 Km.
From Rome, direction Civitavecchia and then follow for Grosseto

Nearby: Visit Castiglione della Pescaia, Alberese, Roselle.

Distances: Siena 60 Km - Florence 130 Km - Pisa 155 Km - Arezzo 130 Km

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