Roccastrada..towards the sea.
History, art and unspoilt nature in the heart of Tuscany.

	Roccastrada (3 minuti)Roccastrada Roccastrada dates from medieval times and sits on the peak of a hill that was once owned by the Aldobrandeschi family. During the thirteen hundreds, after a series of feuds, it was conquered by the Sienese, who began to take advantage of the local copper and silver mines. The area remained under their control until the middle of the fifteen hundreds, at which point it became the property of the Grand Duke of Tuscany and remained so until the final fall of the Republic of Siena in 1555. The area extends to almost 285 square kilometres from the plain of the Maremma to the Metalliferous Hills of Grosseto.Bordered to the north by the province of Siena and the villages of Chiusdino and Monticiano, to the east Civitella Paganico and to the south-east Paganico. To the south lies Grosseto, the west Gavorrano and Massa Marittima and to the north-west Montieri. The altitude varies from 42 metres at Sticciano Scalo to 797 metres at Monte Alto, which exceeds the peak of Sassoforte by just ten metres. The highest peak of the area is Sassofortino at 560 metres.
	Parco Naturale della Maremma (45 minuti)Parco naturale della Maremma The Maremma National Park. The Maremma National park was opened in 1975 and is run by Tuscan Region Parks Authority, extending the length of the southern coast of the Maremma at Principina a Mare down to Talamone. The can be divided into two areas; the Ombrone river and the Trappola marshes to the north and the Monte dell'Uccellina to the south. The first area is comprised of flat marshland, natural wells and coastal marshes and is characterised by its lack of vegetation. From the beach to the dunes can be found a variety of marine plants and flora including sea lily and wild olive, extending to 600 hectares of pine forest ( both domestic and cluster, or marine, pines ). Also near the coastline reigns unopposed the typical Mediterranean landscape, prevalent in holm oak, heather, juniper and lichen. In the surrounding area can be found both evergreen and associated deciduous species including common maple and cork trees. There is a wide range of fauna including wild boar, fallow deer, porcupine, badger, fox, hedgehog, weasel, stone marten and coypu. Birds of note include the wild duck, green-winged teal, curlew sandpiper, heron, marsh hawk, hen harrier and the lesser harrier.
	Castiglion della Pescaia (40 minutes) One of the most beautiful anduntainted beaches on the Tuscan coast.
	Marina di Grosseto (50 minutes) One of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, its port offers everything for the modern tourist.
	Monte Labro (45 minutes) One of the last places remaining in Italy with a truly dark night sky, it is a paradise for lovers of astronomy. The terrace of Monte Labro is a location often used by photographers of astronomical magazines.