It is the most populous city in Maremma, with 82.284 inhabitants. The city lies 14 kilometres (9 miles) from theTyrrhenian Sea, at the centre of an alluvial plain.
The origins of Grosseto can be traced back to theHigh Middle Ages. It was first mentioned in 803 as a fief of the Counts Aldobrandeschi, in a document recording the assignment of the church of St. George toIldebrando degli Aldobrandeschi, whose successors were counts of the Grossetana Mark until the end of the 12th century.
Grosseto steadily grew in importance, owing to the decline ofRusellae andVetulonia until it was one of the principal Tuscan cities. In 1137 the city was besieged by German troops, led byDuke Heinrich X ofBavaria, sent by the emperorLothair III to reinstate his authority over the Aldobrandeschi. In the following year thebishopric of Roselle was transferred to Grosseto.
In 1151 the citizens swore loyalty to theRepublic of Siena, and in 1222 the Aldobrandeschi gave the Grossetani the right to have their ownpodestà, together with three councilors and consuls. In 1244 the city was reconquered by the Sienese, and its powers, together with all the Aldobrandeschi's imperial privileges, were transferred to Siena by order of theimperial vicar. Thereafter Grosseto shared the fortunes of Siena. It became an important stronghold, and the fortress (rocca), the walls and bastions can still to be seen.
In 1266 and in 1355, Grosseto tried in vain to win freedom from the overlordship of Siena. WhileGuelph and Ghibelline parties struggled for control of that city, Umberto and Aldobrandino Aldobrandeschi tried to regain Grosseto for their family. The Sienese armies were, however, victorious, and in 1259 they named a podestà from their city. But Grosseto gained its freedom and in the following year and fought alongside theFlorentine forces in theBattle of Montaperti.
Over the next 80 years Grosseto was again occupied, ravaged, excommunicated byPope Clement IV, besieged by emperorLouis IV and by theantipope Nicholas V in 1328, until it finally submitted to its more powerful neighbour, Siena.
Thepestilence of 1348 struck Grosseto hard and by 1369 its population had been reduced to some hundred families. Its territory, moreover, was frequently ravaged, notably in 1447 byAlfons V of Sicily and in 1455 byJacopo Piccinino.
Sienese rule ended in 1559, whenCharles V handed over the whole duchy toCosimo I de Medici, first grand duke ofTuscany. In 1574 the construction of a line of defensive walls was begun, which are still well preserved today, while the surrounding swampy plain was drained. Grosseto, however, remained a minor town, with only 700 inhabitants at the beginning of the 18th century.
Under the rule of the House of Lorraine, Grosseto flourished. It was given the title of capital of the new Maremma province.
In 2024, Grosseto was selected as the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism. This accolade, awarded by theEuropean Commission, recognizes small, non-traditional, and emerging sustainable tourism destinations in Europe, with Grosseto being chosen ahead of 40 other cities.[4]
Grosseto has aMediterranean climate with very mild wet winters and very hot dry summers. On average there are 25 nights a year where the low reaches or dips below freezing 0 °C (32 °F) but there are also 41 days where the high is at or surpasses 30 °C (86 °F). There are 12 days of fog on an average year.
Alberese, located 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-east of the capital, is the heart of the Natural Park ofMaremma. The name is also extended to the surrounding rural areas which go from the first foothills of the hinterland hills to the sea through the northern slopes of the Uccellina Mountains.
Of uncertain origins,Batignano developed in theMedieval period, around the castle which controlled the outlet of the road towardsSiena on the plain of Grosseto and some lead and silver mines. It was a feud of theAldobrandeschi and in 1213 belonged to Manto da Grosseto. In the 14th century, it then passed under the dominion of Siena, hosting many immigrants fromCorsica, and so in theGrand Duchy of Tuscany. In 1738 it was reunited with the comune of Grosseto.
Once being simply an appendix of Montepescali,Braccagni is seen today more independently as it is believed to be the nodal point of the economy of the area. The railway station, theAurelia, many activities which have developed in the last few years, new habitations, these have all created its new identity as a modern town, in continuous evolution.
Istia d'Ombrone is a town situated about 3 kilometres (2 mi) east of the capital. The center of Istia emerged as a fortified settlement along the valley of the riverOmbrone and it was owned by the bishops of Roselle since 862.
Marina di Grosseto is a famous tourist destination located 12 kilometres (7 mi) from Grosseto; it is an important seaside resort inMaremma. Once a fishing village, it is known for its hilly hinterland, rich in macchia and wide beaches overlooking theTyrrhenian Sea, with a vast pine forest that extends fromPunta Ala to Alberese.
Montepescali is a small town of medieval origins. The site, from which the scenic panorama of the coastal strip and theTuscan Archipelago up toCorsica can be seen, is also known as "Terrace or balcony of the Maremma".
Principina a Mare is a seaside resort. The center, sparsely populated land in winter, consists primarily of houses of holidaymakers, hotels, high class and a camp category average. However, the location is quite popular due to its proximity to the mouth of the riverOmbrone and the Natural Park ofMaremma.
The village ofPrincipina Terra is located south-west of the capital city, almost halfway between the city center and the seaside resorts of Marina di Grosseto and Principina a Mare. The area surrounding the village was washed from the shores of ancientLake Prile.
Rispescia is a modern residential area, located about 10 km (6 mi) south-east of the capital, near the Natural Park of Maremma and thefrazione of Alberese.
Roselle, in LatinRusellae, now a municipalfrazione of Grosseto, was once the main city in the area. Of Etruscan origin, it was built on a hill that offered protection and commanded all the nearby valley. The extent of its dominion is not clear, but probably at its peak included most of theVetulonia territory. The city's splendour ended in 294 BCE, when, according toLivy, theRoman Republic conquered it. After the end of the Roman Empire, in the 5th century, Roselle was still the most important centre of what is now southern Tuscany. Its gradual decline began in 1138, when the diocesan seat was moved to Grosseto.
Etruscan ruins had been discovered in Roselle, including cyclopean walls, 6 kilometres (4 mi) in circumference, and sulphur baths, which in the last century were restored for medicinal uses. There was formerly an amphitheatre.
Andrea da Grosseto was born in Grosseto in the first half of the 1200's. He is very important inItalian literature, because he is considered the first writer in theItalian language. Andrea da Grosseto translated from Latin the Moral Treaties ofAlbertano of Brescia, in 1268. His texts were written in the Italian language, without too many redundancies and constructions, words and typical ways of speech of the vernacular and the dialect. The writer intended to not utilise his own Grossetan dialect, but to use a general "Italian national language". In fact he twice refers to the vernacular which he uses defining ititalico (Italic). So Andrea da Grosseto was the first to intend to use vernacular as a national unifying language from the north to the south of the entire Peninsula.
Schiaccia alla pala (oven-baked bread with oil) andSchiaccia con cipolle e acciughe (oven-baked bread with onions and anchovies) are typical breads of the city of Grosseto.Acquacotta is typical ofMount Amiata: it is a poor soup, and the main ingredients areartichokes,broccoli,cabbage,beans,borage, pisciacane (dandelion) and similar vegetables. TheMaremmana cattle is one of the two breeds used in the preparation of theflorentine steak.
The walls were commissioned byCosimo I de Medici in 1564, in order to replace those from the 12th-14th centuries, as part of his policy of making Grosseto a stronghold to protect his southern border. The design was byBaldassarre Lanci, and construction began in 1565. Until 1757 the exterior was surrounded by a ditch with an earthen moat. There were two main gates: Porta Nuova on the north and Porta Reale (nowPorta Vecchia) on the south.
The walls are now used as a public park and walking area.
The Romanesque cathedral, the main monument of the city, is named for its patron St. Lawrence, and was begun at the end of the 13th century, by architectSozzo Rustichini of Siena. Erected over the earlier church of Santa Maria Assunta, it was only finished in the 15th century (mainly due to the continuing struggles against Siena).
The façade of alternate layers of white and black marble isRomanesque in style, but is almost entirely the result of 16th century and 1816–1855 restorations: it retains decorative parts of the originary buildings, including Evangelists' symbols. The layout consists of a Latin cross, with transept and apse. The interior has a nave with two aisles, separated by cruciform pilasters. The main artworks are a wondrously carved baptismal font from 1470–1474 and theMadonna delle Grazie byMatteo di Giovanni (1470).
Thecampanile (bell tower) was finished in 1402, and restored in 1911.
Church of San Francesco. Situated on the square with the same name, it was built in the 13th century, initially a Benedictine, later Franciscan convent. The complex underwent several restorations and reconstructions: thebell was rebuilt in the first half of the 20th century. Very characteristic is the wooden tabernacle that stands on the front and inside there are works of art from various historical periods. At the center of the cloister stands the characteristic Pozzo della Bufala (Well of the Buffalo) intravertine; another well is located in the square outside the church.
Convent of Clarisse. Located onstrada Vinzaglio, the convent is annexed to theChurch of Bigi. The convent of Clarisse and the church of Bigi are now deconsecrated. The entire complex is characterized by the probable medieval origins, which was followed by a series of restorations inBaroque style in the 17th century. Today the convent hosts theMuseolab Città di Grosseto and the university.
Church of Misericordia (19th century). It belonged to various religious orders during the following centuries, before moving on brotherhood in the early decades of the 19th century. In the past, there were several well-preserved works of art currently on display in the section on Sacred Art of theArchaeological and Art Museum of Maremma.
Church of San Giuseppe, located in the western part of the urban area, in theBarbanella neighborhood, it was built in the 1930s in Romanesque Revival style.
Church of San Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, built on the eastern end of the urban area around the middle of last century, the style is Romanesque Revival. It was designed by engineer Ganelli and consecrated in 1951.
Maria Santissima Addolorata, built in the 1970s in the neighbourhood ofGorarella, it was designed by architect Carlo Boccianti.
Santissimo Crocifisso, a modern parish church for the residents of the suburb of Porta Vecchia, it was designed by Carlo Boccianti.
Santa Lucia, a modern church situated in the neighbourhood of Barbanella.
Abbey of San Rabano, at the southern end of the town of Grosseto in the heart of the Natural Park ofMaremma. It was built in the Middle Ages as a Benedictine monastery, passed after the Order of the Knights of Jerusalem and it was finally abandoned in the 16th century.
Abbey of San Pancrazio al Fango, situated between Grosseto andCastiglione della Pescaia, in the heart of Nature Reserve Diaccia Botrona, not far from La Badiola estate. The church, which is in the form of ruins, was built in the Middle Ages on a slight hill overlooking the surrounding wetlands, once occupied byLake Prile near a building from Roman times.
Villino Panichi, an Art Nouveau villa built in 1900 by the architect Porciatti.
Middle school "Giovanni Pascoli", amiddle school located inPiazza della Vasca, it was originally built in 1923 by the engineer Giuseppe Luciani to accommodate boarding and anormal school.
Colonna dei bandi, a Roman column fromRusellae located at the right side of the cathedral, it was traditionally used as the public spot to post municipal notices.
Grosseto War Memorial, originally built in 1896, it is located along the walls, on the Rimembranza bastion. It honors the victims of the Italian War of Independence, World War I and World War II.
Monument to Andrea da Grosseto, made between 1973 and 1974 by sculptor Arnaldo Mazzanti, it is located in Piazza Baccarini. It commemoratesAndrea da Grosseto, the scholar who translated theMoral Treatises ofAlbertanus of Brescia in 1268 providing a first example of Italian literary prose.
Grosseto has enjoyed a long tradition in sports. Baseball andfootball are perhaps the most popular in Grosseto. However, other sports such asAmerican football,cricket,horse racing andathletics are also widely practised.
The premier society of men's baseball in Grosseto is calledBbc Grosseto Orioles (also referred to by its sponsored name of Montepaschi). Grosseto participates in the highest level of play in Italy,Serie A1, and it won the national championship in 1986, 1989, 2004 and 2007. The team won theEuropean Cup in 2005. Montedeipaschi Grosseto hosts his home games atStadio Roberto Jannella.
Other important teams are theMaremma Cricket Club (Serie A) andAmerican Football Condor Grosseto (Serie B).
Horse racing is of considerable importance, with several races throughout the year that, in summer, often taking place at night. The sports facility where are played the various races is thehippodrome Casalone, located in the south of the city, at the beginning of the road that leads toPrincipina a Mare.
The city is served by thePisa-Livorno-Rome railway line connectingGenoa to the capital and serves as the terminus of trains on the single track branch line from Grosseto via Monte Antico to Siena, where it converges with a line fromChiusi and proceeds north toEmpoli andFlorence.
Here is the list of railway stations in the city of Grosseto:
Grosseto station, situated along the Pisa-Livorno-Roma line, it is also the terminus of theSiena-Grosseto line. It is the main railway station of the city, which serves the city center and the urban area.
Local bus service in Grosseto was managed byTiemme Toscana Mobilità one of the companies of the consortiumONE Scarl[6] to accomplish the contract stipulated with theRegione Toscana for the public transport in the 2018-2019 period. Intercity buses depart from the main bus station inPiazza Marconi. There are also several bus services going from the city to Florence, Siena and other cities in Tuscany. A network of urban bus routes also operates in Grosseto, and the bus station serves as an interchange point between these, the intercity routes and extra-urban routes which extend into the rest of theProvince of Grosseto.
Since 1 November 2021 the public local transport is operated byAutolinee Toscane.[7]
The city has a modern tourist dock opened in 2004 in the seaside resort ofMarina di Grosseto, at the mouth of the San Rocco Canal. For passenger traffic in the medium range, the main port isPorto Santo Stefano (40 km), with ferry only for the islands ofGiglio andGiannutri.
Grosseto and the Maremma are served byGrosseto Baccarini Airport, located midway between the capital andMarina di Grosseto. The airport is a military site which is also used as a commercial airport by civilian charter flights and private aircraft, and has a small terminal to accommodate these.
With regard to domestic and international flights, the airports of reference are theairports of Florence,Pisa andRome-Fiumicino. All three airports are located about 150 kilometres (93 mi) from the capital of theMaremma. For a few months in 2018, the airport was served by a flight toBern, operated bySkyWork Airlines, until it went into liquidation.
^"Grosseto".comune-italia.it (in Italian). Comune Italia. Retrieved22 December 2019.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Grosseto".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
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