130 km from Florence and 100 from Siena, Castagneto Carducci (in the province of Leghorn, 8298 inhabitants, 188 m above sea level) is one of the most characteristic medieval villages in the hills of the Tyrrhenian coast, also known as the Etruscan Coast, thanks to the many tracks this mysterious civilisation has left here

The territory of the Etruscan Coast, which covers 90 km from Leghorn to the Piombino promontory, offers several different environments and landscapes, from the seaside ones of the Upper Tyrrhenian Sea to the green shadowy ones of the Colline Metallifere.

The beaches, the cliffs, the pinewoods with their colours and scents of the Mediterrenean vegetation, the landscapes of the Elba, Gorgona, Pianosa, Montecristo and Capraia islands within easy reach from Piombino, all offer the chance to plunge into a beautiful and diversified nature. There are many entrancing excursions in the nature of "Macchia della Magona" of Bibbona", in the wildlife oasis of Bolgheri or in the Orti-Bottagone oasis at Piombino, both managed by the WWF.

Getting to know Castagneto Carducci and its surroundings means discovering the charm of a land so rich of history, traditions and colour. It also means having the chance to satisfy the need of a restful holiday, or of a stay that includes sport, art and culture.

Following the tracks of the Etruscans, on the old Roman roads Via Aurelia and Via Emilia, besides Campiglia Marittima, Populonia and Baratti, you will find also Rosignano and Bibbona. A visit to the archaeological and mining sites of Val di Cornia will allow you to know in depth the activities and the life of the people who left important treasures of their civilisation.

One of the many historical boroughs of the area, Castagneto Carducci lies on the hills, which look onto the sea of Marina di Donoratico. An old fief of the Gherardesca family, known since 754 A.D., its centre still retains the medieval urban structure developed following the pattern of concentric circles. There are charming alleys, winding streets and small squares, which bring back to past events. Here is still fresh the memory of the poet Giosuè Carducci, who lived here as a child and came back several times at the peak of his fame. To honour the poet after his death the village of Castagneto became known as Castagneto Carducci. Other than Castagneto, Carducci gave fame to Bolgheri and its magnificent cypress avenue, 5 km long, which in the poet's words "to Bolgheri tall and pure stand from San Guido in a double row".

Today the name of Castagneto Carducci and Bolgheri is bound to the fame of Sassicaia and of the other wines produced within the DOC Bolgheri territory. They all contribute to keep up the name of Italy in the wine world.

These are the corners of Tuscany, together with Sassetta, Campiglia, Suvereto that you can discover along the Wine Road of the Etruscan Coast. Follow the itineraries of the typical tastes and flavours of the Maremma. Here you will fully enjoy the feeling of a human size life, scanned by the same slow rythm that makes the local wine so good.