Guide to visit the Parco Naturale della Maremma
The Maremma has one of the richest and most varied territories from a natural point of view of the whole Tuscany. All this naturalistic richness is protected through a series of parks and oasis that cover 40000 hectares! The most famous of all these parks is the Parco Naturale della Maremma which extends for 100 square kilometers along a wide coastal strip that goes from the mouth of the Ombrone river to the Talamone promontory and goes into the hinterland up to the Via Aurelia.
Here nature is the absolute protagonist: from the wetlands and plains of the northern part, to the mountains of the Monti dell’Uccellina, passing through the pine forest of Marina di Alberese, here we encounter various ecosystems rich in vegetation and wildlife. Walking through the paths that cross the park, it is not unusual to come across wild boars, roe deer, badgers and foxes. There are also horses and cattle in the wild as well as several species of water birds such as flamingos.
History has its own well-defined role here, the passage of man over the centuries is in fact documented by various buildings such as the suggestive Abbey of San Rabano and the watch towers that from time to time pop up in the middle of the vegetation.
Parco naturale della Maremma: the beaches
We cannot fail to mention the beaches among the main attractions of the Parco Naturale della Maremma. The most famous are the beautiful Cala di Forno and the spiaggia di Colleungo, with its suggestive dunes. Two wonderful places that are certainly not the only ones; here in fact the sea is beautiful everywhere, blue, crystal clear, limpid and with sandy bottoms: ideal for a nice relaxing bath!
To reach the beaches it is necessary to walk along one of the paths indicated at the park entrance; to best preserve the uncontaminated and wild nature of the reserve you will have to leave your cars in one of the parking lots like the one in Marina d’Alberese.
Between history and architecture: the Abbazia di San Rabano and the watch towers
Frequented by man since prehistoric times, the area of the Uccellina Park (aka Parco Naturale della Maremma) is rich in archaeological and architectural evidence that peeps out among the thick vegetation.
Abbazia di San Rabano
Right in the middle of the typical Mediterranean scrub of the Uccellina Mountains we find the Abbazia di San Rabano, one of the most fascinating places to visit in this area. Founded around the 12th century as a Benedictine complex, the abbey remained active until 1475 when the Priory headquarters was transferred to Alberese. The remains of the monastery are still in a good state of preservation and can be reached from the locality of Pratini, following the path marked as A1 (about 5 hours walk).
Lookout towers in the Maremma Park
For a long time the coasts of the Maremma were ravaged by the Saracen pirates first and then by smugglers. To counteract these bandits the Maremma coasts were equipped with a series of fortifications and various sighting towers designed to keep raids and raids under control.
How to reach the Maremma Natural Park
By car: from the Strada Statale Aurelia you must take the Alberese – Parco Naturale della Maremma exit and follow the signs towards Alberese where the Park Visitor Center is located.
By train: with the train you can reach Grosseto and then take a bus (Tiemme lines) to the Alberese Visitor Center.
For information on park schedules, I refer you to the official website.
