Why visit Campiglia Marittima

Campiglia Marittima is located on a hill and preserves in its historic centre numerous testimonies of the ancient medieval village. Among the most interesting architectural works are: the churches, including the Pieve di San Giovanni, a splendid example of the Romanesque-Tuscan style, and the Church of San Lorenzo, dating back to 1200, built within the city walls; the 19th-century Teatro dei Concordi, cosy and charming, home to important theatrical performances.

Not to be missed

Campiglia Marittima is also home to the San Silvestro Archaeo-mineral Park. At the entrance to the park, you can visit the Temperino Mine, exploited in Etruscan and modern times, or take Via delle Ferruzze and see the remains of the early 20th-century mining railway bridge, the Buca della Faina Etruscan mine, and many other open-pit shafts and quarries. Continuing along Via dei Lanzi we reach the medieval mining village of Rocca San Silvestro: in the castle there are still old ovens for baking bread, oil mills, shops, houses, cisterns and the noble palace. After passing through the Valle dei Manienti, with its remains of medieval mines and ancient marble quarries, you reach the “Etruscan Mines” workers’ village, built at the beginning of the 20th century. If you want to go as far as Campiglia Marittima, take Via delle Fonti, which takes its name from the remains of the ancient aqueduct on arches that until not long ago supplied the town of Campiglia Marittima with water. The park also houses the Mineralogical and Archaeo-mineralogical Museum, which displays material from the excavations at the Rocca di San Silvestro and a collection of minerals from the area. Since July 2006, a train has been taking visitors through a mining tunnel from the exit of the Temperino mine to the Valle dei Lanzi, where the Rocca di San Silvestro stands. It is also possible to visit the Miners’ Museum and the Mining Machinery Museum at Pozzo Earle.

Campiglia Marittima a forgotten treasure

Campiglia Marittima is one of the many villages to visit in Tuscany. It is located in the heart of this region and is perched on Monte Calvi, a few kilometres from the sea. This is one of the many characteristic villages in Tuscany that offers wonderful views to each of its visitors. Therefore, expect to be greeted by characteristic, mostly uphill streets, small squares, steps and staircases, and houses typical of an era long gone. Campiglia Marittima is one of the villages near Suvereto and has lived in its shadow until today. Although these two villages are similar, each offers its own particularities that you will discover during your visit.

Campiglia Marittima, history

Knowing hints of a town’s history makes you realise immediately what to expect when you arrive. In Campiglia you will encounter a medieval past that is clearly evident alongside an earlier past of Etruscan and Roman origin.

Campiglia Marittima sea

This title is meant to be a provocation, because although Campiglia is one of the villages in Tuscany close to the sea, the nearest coast is still a few kilometres away.

Campiglia Marittima, what to see

The major attractions offered by this village are:

San Silvestro archaeo-mineral park,
The fortress of San Silvestro.
Fortress of Campiglia,
Parish church of San Giovanni.

The San Silvestro archaeo-mineral park is the guardian of this territory’s mining past. Tourists can visit the Temperino mine by going through the Lanzi gallery. The park houses the museum of mining machines located near what is known as the Earle pit. Continuing along Via dei Lanzi, you will reach the beautiful San Silvestro fortress: an ancient medieval village where you can still see old bread ovens, old oil mills, old houses and the town’s stately castle. Returning to the town centre, you cannot miss a visit to what remains of the Rocca di Campiglia. This building was the residence of the Della Gherardesca family. The parish church of San Giovanni, located outside the town walls, is nothing more than a model Romanesque church surrounded by tombstones. Apart from the architectural structure itself, what fascinates every visitor the most is the magic square housed here. Also called the Square of the Sator, it is a Latin inscription containing a palindromic phrase whose meaning is still unknown today.

Campiglia Marittima, curiosities

Immersed in unspoilt nature is the Student’s hostel Gowett in Campiglia Marittima. It is known for being the only youth hostel in the area and for being suitable for all ages. The beauty of this place is the landscape that surrounds it as well as the building that houses it. Campiglia Marittima also has the honour of hosting Apriti Borgo – ABC Festival, which is nothing other than an international festival of micro-theatre and street theatre that takes place in the week of Ferragosto (mid-August). During those days, Campiglia becomes an open-air theatre where every visitor will encounter music, magic, figure theatre and circus acrobatics. You won’t find stages and walls because every square and corner of the town will be the theatre itself.