Comune di Monte Argentario

TOURISTIC TOUR

Our tour starts from Garibaldi's dock (1) in Porto Santo Stefano, where every day the old sailors go to listen to the sea's voice and wait for the fishing boats to come back. Just in front of Garibaldi's dock is the Sea Biology Centre (2), with its mediterranean acquarium (2), here you can admire the beautiful Argentario's depths.

Walking along the Lungomare (3), beautiful walk on the promenade by the sea, we arrive at Piazzale dei Rioni (4), the main square, built as an anfitheatre on the Turchese bay, where on the 15^th August the "Palio Marinario", famous boats race, takes place. From here, we go ut to the Spanish fortress called La Fortezza (5), that dominates the city centre. Built in XVI century, this fortress hostes the "Museo dei Maestri D'Ascia" and the Show " Memorie Sommerse (5)", where we can admire archeological rests found in the Argentario's depths.

Then we continue along the Panoramic Road (6), that runs all around the promontory, and from there we can admire Cala Cacciarella, Cala Grande (7), Le colonne e L'Argentarola (8), Cala Moresca, Cala del Gesso (9), Punta del Bove, Cala Piccola (10) (Cala Piatti) and Capo d'Uomo (11), beautiful bays along the coast. Further out to sea there is Giglio's Island, with its granit cliffs, and Giannutri's Island, the island of the seagulls. At Capo D'Uomo, the highest point on the coast, is Poggio Fondoni (11), from where we can go for excursions and see ancient sites, wild places, between sea and sky, between reality and fantasy. The road that from Poggio Fondoni goes back to Porto Santo Stefano, through Campone Valley, where the old and misterious Argentiera Tower (12) that overlooks the bay is situated. Along the road, one can admire the artisans of the wood, called "maestri d'ascia", still building their boats by hands, as they have done for years and years, passing their knowledge from generation to generation. Back to the village, on our left is the Cantiere navale dell'Argentario, where precious and ancient boats are repaired and restored. We leave Porto Santo Stefano and lead to Porto Ercole, along a road characterized by rocky cliffs, little beaches, until we reach the "Bagni di Domiziano (13)", where during the low tide we can admire the remains of a roman fish-pond. Going on along the canel that connects Orbetello' s lagoon to the sea, we reach "Punta degli Stretti (16)" with its deep and magic cave, that you can visit escorted by a guide. On the left, there is the road that goes to the Passionisti Convent, on the top of Monte Argentario. The road crosses the Mediterranean wood, and gives the opportunity to admire Orbetello, little village built in the middle of a lagoon. In the middle of the wood we find the "Convento della Presentazione and the "Noviziato di San Giuseppe" (15), founded by San Paolo della Croce, three hundred years ago, a place full of peace and quiet. We arrive then to Punta Telegrafo (16), the highest point of Monte Argentario, where the landscape is wonderful, all along the coast until Giglio and Giannutri Islands , and inland, to Monte Amiata. On our left we find the Tombolo della Feniglia (17), a protected pine forest of six kilometres, where deer, boar and many kind of birds live. In the forest is the monument to Caravaggio, famous painter, who died here. We go on through Poggio Pertuso, from where we can admire Cala Galera (18), modern touristic port, and Forte Filippo (19), famous Spanish fortress.

Finally, we arrive in Porto Ercole (22), with its "marina" (22), a pictoresque walk by the sea, surrounded by fishermen's houses. From here, the fishing boats used to leave in the past, at night, little lights in the night. At the end of the marina is the Botanic Garden Corsini (23), rich in rare plants and flowers. From here, we enter the old part of the village, through the "Porta Pisana" with the clock tower. On the right, an uphill staircase leads to St. Erasmo's Church (25), where the spanish governors were buried. Through narrow streets, we reach St. Barbara's Square (26), and the Governor's Palace (26), from where you have a wonderful view of the port. Leaving the city centre, we take the Panoramic road (28) and arrive at La Rocca (26), with an impressive spanish fortress, that really gives you the impression of a little piece of Spain.Our last stop: Forte Stella (21), antic spanish castle with a six points star plan, recently restored, hosts show and artistic events. From here, you can see all of the south east coast of Monte Argentario, with its beautiful villas and the Isolotto 's island (27). And the Mediterranian Sea, that tells us about ancient people travelling by sea, leaving traces of their lives as they travel through the centuries to arrive to us here today.

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