Parco della Maremma: il diamante grezzo della Toscana

Of the vast treasure trove of environmental and cultural treasures that is the entire Maremma, the curious traveler, but also the tourist seeking relaxation, cannot fail to visit the most authentic and unspoiled jewel: the Maremma Park, Tuscany's first park and the first national park recognized by the European Community.

Maremma Park: a harmonious alternation of towers and hills

THEthe territory of the Maremma Park appears to the visitor's eyes as a harmonious leak of hills thickly vegetated and dotted with watchtowers: these are the mountains of theLittle bird, which run parallel to the coast.

Below the fort (as the Mediterranean scrub is called in Maremma) gives way to cultivations, revealing here and there the red of the clay or rugged limestone spurs. All around the alluvial plain on which the lazy meanders of theOmbrone.

The towers of the Maremma Park

The towers of the Maremma Park date back to the 16th century and were built by the Medici family: they are part of a defensive system initially created to counter the raids of the Ottoman Moors who raged here.

This is linked to the legend of the Beautiful Marsilia, that is, of Margherita dei Marsili, a noble Sienese girl, who was kidnapped by the ferocious Khair-al-din for the Harem of Suleiman II, of whom she became the favourite (👉 You can find "Bella Marsilia and other legends of the Maremma Park" in the details at the bottom of the article.) .

Connected to the fortresses of Talamone And Castiglione della Pescaia, together with a Orbetello And Porto Santo Stefano, these towers constituted a powerful defensive and warning system, which was maintained until the Napoleonic era.

The village of Alberese

Coming from the north, from theAurelia we arrive at Alberese, a village around which all the life of the Maremma Park and home to the visitor centre, with its kiosk in the square.
The visits are possible, alone or with a guide, on pre-established itineraries, some of which are quite long and challenging, others easier to travel, like the one we are going to describe in detail, concerning the flat part of the Maremma Park.

From Alberese, taking the only road crossing the Park on the right, you arrive, after two kilometres, at the large courtyard of the Spergolaia Farm, a farm-village which constitutes the administrative centre of the regional company, and continuing between two high pillars you walk towards Alberese Marina.

The Grand Ducal Pine Forest of the Maremma Park

The road runs through reclaimed fields, with cowboys on horseback And herds of Maremma cattle grazing; especially in the migration seasons it is easy to spot herons, lapwings and curlews.

Continuing beyond the barrier, you arrive at the thick Grand Ducal Pine Forest, with maritime and stone pine, interspersed with lower sections (blades), flooded in winter; even further on, you reach the dune cords which slope down into the sea.

👉 Read also: On horseback with the Maremma cowboys

Mouth of the Ombrone

Going back on foot for about 500 meters, instead, you can take the path on the left, on the route of the Mouth of the Ombrone. You first follow an asphalt road through the pine forest, which becomes increasingly sparse and alternates with beautiful cork oaks, opening onto what were once the Salt Pans of San Paolo, of whose existence buildings such as the remain as evidenceSan Paolo Water Pumping Plant or the Ponte Chiavica Toll Booth.

As the route progresses the vegetation becomes more and more visible. marsh elements they become more and more frequent and soon you reach the river bank, rich in life and still wild, which can be followed to the sea. sand dunes with their tufts of ammophila, the brackish bumps, the mastic and cedar scrub they splendidly dominate the surroundings.

THEthe return it can happen backwards, or along the beach. The travel time is about 3 hours, but the beauty of the places and the desire to discover the little secrets of the animal life they can ask for much more.

An explosion of life among the Mediterranean scrub

For enthusiasts, the enclosures of Maremma horses they will certainly be a lure, but the strength and size of the Maremma cattle, direct heirs of the mythical primeval ox, will never cease to amaze.

Animal lovers should know that they will not only find horses and cattle: the boar, symbol of the Maremma Park, is one of the most important faunal elements, together with roe deer, deer, fox, badger and porcupine; all species actively monitored for their better protection and management.

Along the Ombrone

Along theOmbrone, and even better in the Trap Swamp (reachable from Principina a Mare, along the beach), they stop ducks, rails And stilt walkers at the time of migration; the forest is densely populated with songbirds, the channels reflect the metallic flash of the kingfisher.

Flora and vegetation are the typical ones of the Mediterranean scrub and sandy-silty coasts. There are extensive plantations of stone pine (pine nuts), planted since the 18th century by the Lorena family, Grand Dukes of Tuscany, who worked extensively for the reclamation of the Maremma.

The heights are full of Mediterranean essences more noble, which develop as a scrub (here called forteto) or, in the marine areas or crossed by fire, like low bushy garrigue.

👉 Read also: Along the Ombrone River: from source to mouth

The eastern side

On the eastern side, cultivated, olive trees, vines and cork oaks are well represented. The herbaceous and shrubby species are very rich, with associations typical of dunes, blades and marshes, and undergrowth. The peak of flowering occurs from April to June, ideal period for the recognition of herbaceous species and in particular of the significant contingent of spontaneous orchids.

From the end of July to September, however, is the best time to admire the marsh and beach flora, among which white stands out sea lily.

📍FOR MORE INFORMATION:

👉 The Beautiful Marseille and other legends of the Park of Maremma

👉 Maremma by bike: green tourism in southern Tuscany

👉 10 Trattorias in Maremma You Can't Say No To

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