The Italian Taste mobile (0.2.2)
Hi, Carlo and I are on holiday in Tuscany this week. We have planned our vacation in this way: some days on the seaside and other days visiting the most beautiful centers in Maremma (Tuscany). This morning we have visited Grosseto the capital of special land called Maremma. Grosseto is a little town near the Tyrrhenian Sea. [nggallery id=6] The first thing that have struck us is the abundance of plants: pines, palms and hedges of oleander ... very beautiful. All that shows the love for nature of its inhabitants. Another characteristic: Grosseto is a quiet town, on human scale where people you meet are available to smile and talk with you at any hour. A typical town of the central part of Italy, the Italy Carlo and I prefer. You can park easily around the historical center and then visit the town walking for few hours. It's little and you can visit monuments and make shopping too. It's a walking area. Grosseto dates back to the upper middles ages. It's historical center is surrounded by imposing Medicean walls that has an hexagonal shape. This wall is practically intact and can still covered entirely on foot like those of only three other Italian cities. It's worth visiting Grosseto only for this. The wall was transformed into public gardens that are very beautiful. We have entered the historical center through the Porta Vecchia (old gate) and reached Piazza Dante (square dedicated to Dante) with the Duomo (Cathedral of Saint Lawrence) and Palazzo Aldobrandeschi (a neo-gothic edifice that houses the province governement of Grosseto). The cathedral façade is made with white and pink marble and its campanile (bell tower), built after a century, contrasts very much with the cathedral style. Then we have entered Corso Carducci, a long and narrow street with a lot of interesting shops. At the end we have found the Porta Nuova (new gate). Beyond the Porta Nuova we have seen a curious square (Piazzale Fratelli Rosselli) where there are some famous buildings such as the Palace of Post and Telegraphs (symbol of Fascist architecture), the Palace of Governement and others. Very nice Villino Panichi (a little building built in early 20th century). We have struck from a curiosity. Most of these buildings haven't a flat façade but concave that accompanies the round square. The last walk. We have passed under the Porta Nuova again and have reached the Fortezza.The Fortezza Medicea, the northeast bulwark of the wall, is a site of particular fascination consisting of tunnels, magazines and gatehouses. Our visit ends here. We have entered the historical center at 11 a.m. and come out at 1 p.m., only two hours for a very interesting walk. Greetings from Italy Carlo & Loretta