Orbetello

Orbetello is a really picturesque town that seems to be hanging between sky and sea. It is located in the middle of a large lagoon divided into Eastern and Western lagoon by an artificial earthwork. Far north the lacustrine basin is bound by the Giannella Tombolo: a strip of land particularly interesting from the touristic point of view and as a seaside resort and far south by the Feniglia Tombolo: also a strip of land which is a natural reserve that can be crossed on foot or by bicycle to reach the beach. Here nature is at its best and many areas have been declared a sanctuary to protect a wildlife belonging to particular ecosystems. In ancient times before the two “Tomboli” took shape Orbetello looked over the open sea, protected by the large Argentario island, therefore its source of wealth were the harbour activity and trade. Its history began at the time of the Etruscans and precisely in the VI century BC and traces of buildings dating back to the same period have been discovered in the old town while, as far as older orientalizing necropoleis (VIII-VII century BC) are concerned, little of them has been left following the havoc wreaked by illegal diggings and urbanization over the past centuries. Anyway, in the municipal area there are numerous archaeological sites that witness its past importance and among those deserving a visit there are in particular the ruins of the Etruscan Temple of Talamonaccio (II century BC, at Fonteblanda); its magnificent terracotta pediment is preserved in the Polveriera Guzman at Orbetello; the fascinating “Etruscan Tagliata (Cut)” at the locality Torre Tagliata, Ansedonia, that despite its name is an astounding example of the Romans’ engineering ability with hydraulic systems and port facilities in the I century BC; the ruins of the Roman town of Cosa (Ansedonia) with walls, temples and various buildings datable from the III century BC to the imperial age. In the Middle Ages – as tradition wills – Orbetello was assigned to the Roman Abbey of the Three Fountains by Charlemagne, to then become a domain of the Aldobrandeschi followed by the Orsini. The latter remained faithful to the lineage and several times contended with Orvieto for these lands until in the XV century they were annexed to the Siena Republic that was striving to secure a precious access to the sea. But it was the Spanish domination that left its mark in the territory (and in its monuments) taking over from Siena after its fall and creating the State of Presidi (the State of the Garrisons) that from 1557 to 1801 ruled over the costal strip between the present Parco dell’Uccellina (Maremma Park) and the lake Burano, as well as over part of Elba and Piombino. In the garrisons, the power was first exercised by the Spaniards (until 1707) then by the Austrians (until 1736) and Carlo Borbone, king of Naples and Sicily. The territory then followed the nineteenth century fortunes of the Tuscan Grand Duchy until the unification of Italy. Right from the start the State of Presidi had been considered very important for the political and military stability of Tuscany and therefore provided with strongholds, fortifications and watch towers that are still visible along the coast.

Maremma Tourist Guide