The Etruscan Coast and its Resources

The main part of the Etruscan Coast falls within the area lying half-way down the Tuscan coastline and, in addition to the fantastic Bolgheri wild fowl reserve, takes in the fine coastal pinewoods of Cecina and Donoratico and the wooded hills of Bibbona, Bolgheri and Monte Calvi, where fine chestnut woods alternate with the Mediterranean vegetation.

The mediaeval hilltop towns of Castagneto Carducci, Suvereto and Campiglia Marittima form its chief historical and architectural heritage centres, with their eloquent remains of fortified town walls and buildings. The Monte Calvi area was home, since the Etruscan era, to major metal mining and processing operations, to which the remains of a number of furnaces bear witness. Another focus of interest is the Piombino promontory area, the northern part of which presents a variety of scenic and archaeological aspects: the magnificent Gulf of Baratti and the Populonia burial ground and ancient Populonia, the only Etruscan city that grew up as a base for maritime trading and processing the metals mined on nearby Elba.

The various nature reserves to be found in the area, such as San Vincenzo’s Rimigliano reserve, is also to be highlighted. This stretch of coastline, with its evocative name, the Etruscan Coast, holds out a unique opportunity to savour all the ingredients that give the Maremma its characteristic bitter-sweet aura.
The Etruscan Coast is an area that holds out a wide choice regardless of the season, and this is what makes it different. It’s holiday time all year round in this corner of Tuscany just waiting to be explored, where sea, countryside, art and history live harmoniously side by side
You will find various “souls” there: a seaside “soul” first of all, reflecting the crystal-clear colours of its water, ranging from deep blue to emerald green. With its miles and miles of wide beaches and its rocks redolent of sea spray and wind, fringed by sheltering pinewoods, it is a stretch of Mediterranean bursting with vitality.
Then there is the flora and fauna “soul,” with a wealth of varied surroundings where you can explore and wallow in several nature reserves and protected, yet discreetly accessible areas: botanical conservation zones, wildlife sanctuaries "home" to valuable rare breeds and dense vegetation formed by deep pinewoods and forests hugging the hillsides.

Last but not least, there is the slow-moving, yellow and orange soul of the countryside with its scents, the wine trail running through it, home to prize vines and silver olive trees that bring fame on wines and oils the world over.
And last of all, what about the flavours of the local cuisine and food specialities?
A word of advice: on no account forgo the true pleasure of seeking and trying out unique flavours. The length of the Etruscan Coast holds out opportunities for familiarising yourself with the two souls of Tuscan cuisine: meat and fish, pastureland and salt water, all caught in an age-old, unyielding embrace between deep-rooted tradition and undying habit.
The marine tradition is still flanked by the ever-popular trattorie, places of pilgrimage for lovers or wild boar and game in general, all washed down with fine local wines that smack of a tradition of which the world is beginning to take notice.