The lovely town of Grosseto in Maremma, an area of the south of Tuscany close to the coast, is a lesser-known gem that is positively stuffed full of history and architectural masterpieces. If you are a lover of beautiful buildings and like to try out places that are off the beaten track and far from regular tourist crowds, then it is an ideal holiday destination. Just find a vacation rental in Grosseto and come discover its architectural gems. In the last post, we began our guide to the buildings, structures and monuments of the town and here are more of our picks of the absolute must-see highlights.
3. The Church of San Francesco.
In the last post, we mentioned the Duomo, or cathedral, in Grosseto. However, there are actually quite a few beautiful religious buildings in the town, beyond its distinctive and very charming cathedral. Take the Church of San Francesco, for example.
3. The Church of San Francesco.
In the last post, we mentioned the Duomo, or cathedral, in Grosseto. However, there are actually quite a few beautiful religious buildings in the town, beyond its distinctive and very charming cathedral. Take the Church of San Francesco, for example.
A 13th-century structure, it was originally built as an important Benedectine convent and later became a Franciscan convent. It was rebuilt and restored several times over its history and the bell-tower was one of the last features to be rebuilt, in the 20th century. While the brick exterior is relatively austere, the interior boasts several exceptional decorative elements, including the characteristic Pozzo della Bufala (Well of the Buffalo) in travertine in the cloister and a chapel dedicated to St Anthony of Padua with Baroque frescoes by Francesco Nasini and his brother Antonio.
4. The Church of San Pietro.
The Church of San Pietro is the oldest religious building in town. The first documentation of a church on the site dates to 1188 but structural elements dating to the 9th century have been discovered on site during restoration works.
4. The Church of San Pietro.
The Church of San Pietro is the oldest religious building in town. The first documentation of a church on the site dates to 1188 but structural elements dating to the 9th century have been discovered on site during restoration works.
Four sculpted panels with figures, animals, and decorative devices in the Romanesque style remain and a 17th-century crucifix that came from church in Grancia in displayed inside. Small and charmingly ancient-looking, it is not a particularly extraordinary sight but a fascinating remnant of the past, nonetheless.
As well as religious buildings, however, there are also some rather extraordinary civic and private structures and architectural gems located around town that are worth mentioning. Be sure to read on to the last post in this series to discover more of the buildings worth taking note of in Grosseto and the overall architectural charm and atmosphere of the place that makes it an unsung hero in Tuscany.
Don't forget that we are the best website for Tuscan villas to rent on the market so, if you're planning a holiday to Tuscany, be sure to check out Tuscany-villas.it!
As well as religious buildings, however, there are also some rather extraordinary civic and private structures and architectural gems located around town that are worth mentioning. Be sure to read on to the last post in this series to discover more of the buildings worth taking note of in Grosseto and the overall architectural charm and atmosphere of the place that makes it an unsung hero in Tuscany.
Don't forget that we are the best website for Tuscan villas to rent on the market so, if you're planning a holiday to Tuscany, be sure to check out Tuscany-villas.it!
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
