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THINGS TO KNOW:
The coast swamp that once stretched around discouraged pirate raids but prevented trade and caused depopulation. In the 18th century the reclamation work developed the cultivation of cereals, olive trees and vines, which still constitute the main activities of the area. So, the issue was solved.
Casale Marittimo stands today on a 7th century BC important Etruscan settlement, an outpost of Volterra towards the sea. In the Etruscan Necropolis of Casa Nocera the statues called “the Warrior Princes” were found: the two oldest ronde-bosse statues in the history of European art, housed today in the Archaeological Museum of Florence. In addition to the necropolis, there are still remains of two Roman villas.
Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club
The cozy medieval village, awarded with the Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club, boasts a Castle on the highest point.
Casale Marittimo stretches out along narrow, steep streets forming concentric rings that bring visitor to civic and religious buildings. Indeed, a nice walk leads visitors to the Clock Tower and to the “Casa del Camarlingo” (formerly the Civic Tower and part of the city walls), until the Parish Church of Sant’ Andrea (rebuilt in the 19th century on the ruins of an older church destroyed by a violent earthquake) and Palazzo della Canonica, also rebuilt using materials from a Roman villa, including a mosaic floor.
Sea view
Casale Marittimo is 12 km from the coast. That’s why from some of the views you can enjoy a wonderful panorama that embraces the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago.
