There's something about European vacations that feels magical, people love going to explore old cities and experience different cultures.  So many people travel to Italy each year to soak in the culture, and it seems like the region of Tuscany is the number one spot for vacationers.  When you're browsing Tuscany villa rentals for the first time you may not know where you want to rent.  If you take time to learn a little about each region in Tuscany, you'll be able to easily decide which area is the best for your vacation.  If you're curious about the city and region of Grosseto, this is the blog post for you.

The History of Grosseto

Grosseto is the name of a city and province in central Tuscany, and is close to the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ombrone River.  Like many other areas of Tuscany, Grosseto has a history that stretches all the way back to the Middle Ages.  The region was first mentioned in written historical records in 803, and throughout the centuries it has seen a lot of battles and rulers.  Its rough history is what gave the city one of its most iconic landmarks.  Throughout the centuries the city relied on walls to keep invaders out, but the most famous set of walls (which are still standing today) were constructed in the 16^th century. 

Grosseto Sights

In 1574 Francesco I de Medici, the second Grand Duke of Tuscany, ordered the replacement of the city's old walls from the 12^th-14^th centuries in order to make the city less vulnerable to attacks.  The walls took 19 years to construct, and when they were completed a new Grand Duke had already been appointed.  Despite not being completed during his reign of power, the walls were still named after Medici.  Now the Medicean Walls are one of the most popular sights in the city.

The Medicean Walls aren't the only architectural wonder in the city, Grosseto has an array of buildings made in distinct architectural styles.  You can see everything from Medieval churches to neo-Romanesque government buildings.  Italy is the country to be in if you're a patron of the arts, and if you love the arts you should look at Tuscan villa rentals in the city of Grosseto.  An array of writers, composers, singers, and actors have lived in Grosseto, and the famous fantasy writer Francesco Falconi and actress Elsa Martinelli still live in the region.