Castiglione della Pescaia

Castiglione della Pescaia
Comune
Comune di Castiglione della Pescaia
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Coat of arms
Castiglione della Pescaia Location of Castiglione della Pescaia in Italy
Coordinates:
Country	Italy
Region	Tuscany
Province / Metropolitan city	Grosseto (GR)
Frazioni	Ampio, Buriano, Macchiascandona, Pian d'Alma, Pian di Rocca, Ponti di Badia, Punta Ala, Riva del Sole, Roccamare, Rocchette, Tirli, Vetulonia
Government
• Mayor	Giancarlo Farnetani (PD)
Area
• Total	208.96 km2 (80.68 sq mi)
Elevation	4 m (13 ft)
Population (30 June 2010)
• Total	7,465
• Density	36/km2 (93/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Castiglionesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	58043
Dialing code	0564
Patron saint	St. William of Aquitania
Saint day	2 May
Website	www.col-castiglionegr.it

Castiglione della Pescaia [kastiʎˈʎone della pesˈkaja] is an ancient seaside town in the province of Grosseto (Tuscany), Italy. The modern city grew around a medieval fortress (Italian: castellocode: it is deprecated ) and a large fishery, from which it got its designation. Today Castiglione della Pescaia is known for its beaches and has become a center of international (mostly European) tourism.

Geography

File:Castiglione della Pescaia, Old Town.jpg

Hilltop fortress - Castiglione della Pescaia.

Castiglione della Pescaia consists of a High City built on the hill that ends a chain of hills towards the sea, and of a Low City at the foot of the High City, straddling the drainage canal and marina that form the central part of town.

Castiglione is located in the South-Western portion of Tuscany, with a gorgeous view of the islands of Elba and Giglio, and of the promontory of Argentario. The hills that back the city slope into beautiful beaches that front the town in its entirety.

To the East of Castiglione is the rich floodplain of the Ombrone. Nothing much remains of the ancient lake Prile that used to be Castiglione's lifeblood.

History

While Umbrians and Etruscans were most likely the first inhabitants of its location, Castiglione della Pescaia was first recorded under the name Salebrone in Roman times. The hill close to the coast proved to be an excellent location, as it dominated the sizable inland Prelius Lake, while the lake itself provided food (fish) and trading goods (salt).

In Medieval times, the city suffered from repeated pirate attacks and almost disappeared. It resurfaced in the 9th century AD under its current name, under joint protection of the Papacy and the Republic of Pisa.

The Pisans used Castiglione as a key element in their system of defence along the Tyrrhenian coast. They built first a single tower on top of the hill, later expanded that to three towers joined by a wall that became the nucleus of the citadel. The three towers of Castiglione dominate the city seal to this day.

In the 13th century, Castiglione became an independent comune. Meanwhile, the river Ombrone had started silting up Lake Prile, which soon became a lagoon. In this newformed lagoon, malaria mosquitoes took hold, weakening the population of Castiglione. The city requested protection from various powers (Siena, the Medici, Aragon) and finally became part of the Grand Dukedom of Tuscany under the dynasty of Lorraine.

The house of Lorraine started a series of projects that greatly enhanced the lives of Castiglionesi. The swamps were drained over decades, increasing the amount of arable land, as well as killing off the malaria carrying mosquitoes.

After Tuscany became part of Italy in 1859, Castiglione became a comune in the province of Grosseto.

Main sights

The most notable attraction are the ancient remains in Vetulonia, one of the leading Etruscan cities. The frazioni of Punta Ala and Riva del Sole are beach resorts catering mostly to tourists from Central and Northern Europe.

In the territory of Castiglione della Pescaia, the 1,000-hectare (2,500-acre) Natural Reserve of Diaccia Botrona (with 18th-century Casa Rossa Ximenes) is a designated wetland area of international interest, according to the Ramsar Convention.

Panoramic view of Casa Rossa Ximenes.

Panoramic view of Casa Rossa Ximenes.

External links

Official website