Ideal for anyone who prefers the road less traveled, Roccastrada, Italy, is a remote municipal area where wine is a central focus and spectacular natural scenery unfolds around every corner. Located in the province of Grosseto in the southern reaches of Tuscany, Roccastrada is located 15 miles northeast of Grosseto city, a short distance from the Italian coast. This remote destination is roughly 55 miles south of the cultural city of Florence and the city of Pisa, which is famous for its leaning tower. The historic city of Siena (Siena) is also located a short distance from Roccastrada. Roccastrada lies in a spectacular area between the fertile Maremma plains and the mountainous hills of the Colline Metallifere.
With its laid back atmosphere and rural setting, Roccastrada is the ideal destination to enjoy a relaxing weekend or calming getaway in the rustic region of Tuscany. The Roccastrada municipal area has a permanent population of approximately 10,000, which are distributed across several small villages and hamlets, including Sticciano, Ribolla, Montemassi, Roccatederighi, Sassofortino, Torniella and Piloni, which have many unique attractions in their own right. The Montemassi Castle is one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks in the region.
The quiet Roccastrada region is known for its old world charm, long history and ancient traditions. There are a number of hotels, eateries and shops located in the Roccastrada city center. Every Wednesday and Saturday, vendors, farmers and cheese makers gather in Roccastrada to sell world-class formaggio, meat products, food goods and household items. Other attractions located within the Roccastrada city center include the Piazza dell’Orologio, a medieval clock tower reconstructed after WWII. Located atop a steep hill, the Piazza dell’Orologio towers over the surrounding area giving visitors breathtaking views of the spectacular landscape and the city’s tile-clad buildings that are of medieval origin.
The city’s iconic clock tower is also home to a wine museum and historic subterranean wine cellar. The museum and tourist center features an underground wine cellar bored through rock, murals, and documentation on historical agricultural activities as well as mining and metallurgy that were mainstays in this mineral-rich region. Modern-day Roccastrada features a variety of medieval buildings along with newer accommodations and subdivisions constructed on the outskirts of town. The municipality of Roccastrada and its affiliated hamlets are superb destinations for tourists who want to explore the unchanged side of Tuscany as it was thousands of years ago.
