Casa Capalbio, Via Giovanni Dionisi 3, Capalbio (2025)

02/02/2025

Lago di Vico is one of two beautiful volcanic crater lakes in the region an hour's drive south east of Capalbio. It's a national park set in an large beech tree forest, with a lovely winding road down through the trees to the lakeshore that's dotted with a few rustic cafes, food kiosks, and restaurants, with a narrow strip of sandy beach along the shore on the western side.

The water is fresh and clean and lovely for swimming, and there are grassy fields, safe childrens play areas with a bouncy castle, ample free parking, an adventure garden in the forest back on the road towards San Martino, barbeques, and pedal boat and sail boat rental places. It's incredibly beautiful and very popular in the summer months, but you'll always find parking and a place on the shore.

More Maremma @ casacapalbio.com

28/01/2025

The driveway and steps from the street down to both our apartments, private gardens, and free parking overlooking the nature reserve and out to the sea. Casa Blu and Casa Terra are available throughout spring and summer, but bookings are coming in early so book now to block your preferred weeks! 😱

Our apartments are perfect for families, with all the bedding, towels, and cooking utensils you'll need for your stay, free internet and washing machines, double bathrooms with a bath, private gardens and patios, and separate bedrooms for you and the kids. Only ten minutes from the nearest beach, and pets are welcome too! 🐶

Book now! @ casacapalbio.com

23/01/2025

The charming little footpath along the top of the high inner fortress walls in Capalbio, which runs around and looks down over the old medieval town center and has fantastic views along the whole coastline from Argentario in the north to Montalto and beyond to the south.

Capalbio was first fortified by the Aldobrandeschi family, who obtained the town in the 11th century from the Tre Fontane abbey in Rome. They had to fight hard to keep it though, lost it a few times, and protect the town from Saracaen pirates. But it was the Orsini who extended and completed the fortifications and construction of the town during the economically prosperous 15th century, building higher walls, the castle, houses, churches, and town squares.

More Capalbio @ casacapalbio.com

18/12/2024

The Polveriera Guzman in Orbetello was a massive powder magazine built in 1692 for the Spanish viceroy of the State of the Presidi to store explosives. Now an archeological museum and art gallery, it was also used by Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1860 to supply his troops during his march from Genova to Sicily to overthrow the Bourbon government in what was one of the defining acts of the Risorgimento, which unified Italy.

The Spanish period of the Presidi lasted from 1557 till 1707, from the partitioning of the Republic of Siena and the occupation of large parts of Tuscany and the Maremma region by the Spanish and their viceroys from Naples until it passed to the Kingdom of Austria. They built imposing fortifications including the great walls and city gates of Orbetello that protected the city from the mainland, and palaces, graineries, and administrative buildings throughout the town, which was their capital, and explains the distinctively Spanish flavor of the town's architecture.

Fascinating Maremma @ casacapalbio.com

13/12/2024

The remarkable fortress of Radicofani north east of Capalbio on the road to Siena is one of the most beautiful in all of Italy, standing on a rocky cliff overlooking the town and two valleys, and defending and controlling the Via Francigena road which shuttled pilgims and crusaders from northern Europe down to Rome and then on to Bari in southern Italy to embark for the Holy Land in the Middle Ages.

In 1297 the fortress was conquered by the Robin Hood bandit Ghino di Tacco, son of a wealthy count and noble family, who was hunted unsuccessfully by the authorities and so famous for his exploits that Dante wrote about him in the Divine Comedy. He allowed students and poor pilgrims to go free but was ruthless in relieving the rich of their wealth while still leaving them enough to continue their journey, and once robbed but then healed a sick abbot before sending him on his way.

More Maremma @ casacapalbio.com

09/12/2024

Casa Terra is a unique rustic Tuscan apartment, full of artwork, paintings, prints, little antiques, pottery, and bronze objects. It opens onto a wide open patio underneath grape vines which looks out over our private garden and down over the nature reserve towards the sea. It has floors made of terracotta tiles rescued from a medieval church being demolished, exposed wooden beams, and naked rock walls dug into the hillside to form the storeroom and bathrooms.

It not available very often, but is free for summer 2025 bookings now, and perfect for families with two bedrooms, two bathrooms - one with a full size bath - plus a large sofa bed in the living room. We provide all the kitchen utensils, bedding and towels you need for your stay, a washing machine, free internet, and private parking on the property. Book now because we hate saying no 🙄

Casa Terra @ casacapalbio.com

05/12/2024

The ancient Etruscan city of Blera south east of Capalbio is built on a narrow spur of tuft rock between two lush gorges dense with vegetation, elms, poplars, willows, ferns, caves, small waterfalls, and a series of old Roman locks that direct the flow of the Biedano stream, all surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and forests.

Blera's origins date back to the 8th century BC. It was an important and prosperous Etruscan city, with many necropolises in the area, and remained so during the Roman empire, when the ancient Via Clodia road ran through it from Rome north to Cosa on the coast at Argentario, crossing the Devil's and Fortress bridges of Blera's gorges on its way. Two popes were born here, the Lombards destroyed it in 772 AD, and it was passed around, battled over, and ravaged throughout the middle ages until it came under the proptection of the Papal states. Its beauty remains.

More than beaches @ casacapalbio.com

30/11/2024

A wooded path through the forest of the Macchiatonda Nature Reserve, which covers 244 hectares of land between the coast and the highway below Capalbio. It's a WWF wildlife area of wetland groves, natural meadows, and organically managed fields that preserve the remnants of a lowlands Elm forest, newly introduced tree and shrub species, and coastal lakes teeming with native and migratory bird species.

The Reserve is rich in birdlife, including nesting lapwings, golden plovers, curlews, widgeons, teals and mallards, sea birds like ploverfish, oystercatchers, and Corsican gulls, migrating cranes and wild geese which winter in the area and set off in Spring, and birds of prey that fly down from the nearby Tolfa hills to hunt, including Harriers, Kites and Short-toed Eagles. There are numerous easy access paths, a number of observation huts, and free access or guided tours with a park ranger on Sunday mornings.

Natural Maremma @ casacapalbio.com

27/11/2024

The castle on the hill overlooking the tiny village of Montemassi north of Grosetto, built by the Aldobrandeschi family around 1000 AD and almost constantly besieged by Siena, who could not, ever, control the rebellious locals, who refused to be ruled by anyone until the 17th century, when things were relatively harmonious under the feudal lord of nearby Roccatederighi.

A few kilometers away, little Roccastrada was just as proud. Conquered and ruled by Siena because of its nearby copper and silver mines, in the late 19th century a long strike action by local doctors (yes, doctors) replaced the ruling lords with an independent republic. In the early 1900's legal action won them tilling rights to their lands, then they got rid of the clergy and supported the feminist movement. After the first world war they elected Italy's first socialist mayor who enacted sweeping reforms, and the fascists got so fed up with them by 1921 that they massacred innocent townspeople in frustration. Not done, the town was home to the Gransci Brigade of partisans who battled the n***s throughout the second world war as well.

More Maremma @ casacapalbio.com

23/11/2024

The mountain region and nature reserve of Monte Amiata north east of Capalbio is incredibly beautiful, with the largest beech tree forest in Europe, spruce, fir, chestnut, and pine trees, and miles of hiking trails, nature walks, and bike paths. In winter it is wild, misty, and mysterious, and a haven for wild boar, deer, birds of prey, and wolves.

Five lovely medieval villages ring the mountain, with their own customs, distinct cuisine made from local produce including wild boar, pasta, salami, mushrooms, and chestnuts, and a proud, fascinating history. The region is rich in geothermal springs, the ski resort features 12km of wonderful alpine skiing, and at the summit is a large iron cross, a monument constructed at the end of the 19th century to celebrate Christ's redemption.

Explore the Maremma @ casacapalbio.com

20/11/2024

Massa Marattima is an ancient historical town north of Grosetto, inhabited since prehistoric times, from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age, then a series of Etruscan settlements recorded in the region from the ninth to the fifth century BC, but not listed in any official documents until one feudal lord sold it and a number of other castles to another lord in 986 AD.

In the 11th century it was sacked and burned to the ground by Greek pirates, but became wealthy and secure and built many beautiful buildings as a free municipality in the 13th and 14th with the discovery and mining of copper and silver in the nearby hills, highly prized in trade with the Middle East, and fundamental in the establishment of merchant banking and the early international monetary system.

Now you know @ casacapalbio.com

15/11/2024

The wild and rocky western coastline of Argentario looking out towards the islands of Giglio and Giannutri further west. It's inaccessible in parts, heavily wooded and stony, and dotted with gorgeous inlets and coves and small gated communites and secluded villas along the Strada Panoramico, which winds its way down the coastline from Porto Santo Stefano in the north down and around to Porto Ercole in the south west.

This summer we explored another way to cross the promotory from north to south, following a hunch and reckless curiosity, by turning south on the small Via del Olmo road at Pozzarello on the road before Porto Santo Stefano. The initial drive is lovely, winding it's way up towards and around the mountain, but the second part of the drive is rocky and uneven and steep in parts, requiring slow speeds and nerve as the track turns down towards the coast before joining up with the Panoramico in the south. It's fun, but less spectacular than we'd hoped 🙄

More Maremma @ casacapalbio.com

08/11/2024

The hills and plains of the Maremma were rich farmland for the Etruscans, who build drainage and irrigation canals and farmed grains, cereal, fruits, vegetables and olives. The conquering Romans built luxurious villas for the nobility, and large farms, groves, and vineyards such as Villa Settefinestre in the valley at the bottom of the hill outside Capalbio, built by the powerful Volusii family in the 1st century BC. You can visit the archeological site, too.

During the middle ages, however, the canals were neglected, and the region was blighted by malaria and constant flooding which decimated the local population and farmland for centuries. Dante wrote about it in the Divine Comedy, and Da Vinci and Gallileo proposed hydrolic solutions which failed, until a great land reclamation project was begun in the 19th century which included a massive system of sluices, canals and basins.

More Maremma @ casacapalbio.com

04/11/2024

The duomo in the heart of the the old medieval center of Grosseto flanked by the central Piazza Dante and the Aldobrandeschi palace. It is is the capital of the Maremma region and its largest town, founded fn the middle ages as the fief and power center of the ruling Aldobrandeschi family who battled - sometimes successfully, sometimes not - against the Republic of Siena for hundreds of years to retain its independence.

The bubonic plague that swept Europe in the mid 14th century almost destroyed the town, reducing it to a few hundred families, and it was further ravaged by the King of Sicily and lords of Perugia, but the populace persevered, and prospered under the rule of first the Medici of Florence, then the Hapsburg House of Lorraine. Until the Allies bombed it heavily during World War 2. Still, Grosseto thrives, and in 2024 is the first Italian city awarded the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism accolade.

More Maremma @ casacapalbio.com

30/10/2024

Porto Ercole on the eastern shore of Argentario was a little Etruscan fishing village, then conquered by the Romans to serve as a port along the sea route from Rome to Provence in France. In the middle ages it was held and fortified by various powerful regional families before it was bought by the republic of Siena who ushered in a period of prosperity until the Spanish, allied with Florence, took it in a fierce battle.

Today the town hosts a large marina for private yachts, medieval churches, modern villas, and exclusive resorts and spas guarded by the massive Spanish forts and towers on the promotories overlooking the bay. It's an excellent gateway to the lovely southern coastline of Argentario, including our favorite rocky beach around the corner at Le Viste.

Learn more @ casacapalbio.com

27/10/2024

A beautiful Autumn afternoon at the beach in Chiarone, looking north towards Ansedonia and Argentario. The weather is crisp and mild, the water is warm but fresh, and there are miles of quiet and solutude to explore and think about life and the year ahead. This is a wonderful time of year, and a favorite period to book for a number of our visitors.

We've had an excellent summer, with all our regular guests coming to us again and many new guests booking for the first time as well. The summer months were long and hot, and we saw many more people booking early and late holidays; in June and early July, and well into September and October. We've made lots of new friends, and are already taking bookings and blocking regular dates for summer 2025, so available weeks are filling up early.

Book now! @ casacapalbio.com

23/10/2024

One of the lovely little alleyways in the old medieval center of Capalbio, lined with beautiful potted plants and flowers. Nestled within the high fortress walls that ring the town and look out and down to the coast or back into the hinterland of the Maremma, these little streets are fun to explore and get lost in.

It's incredibly beautiful, the heart of a thriving little town, with cafe's, bars, restaurants, food shops, a butcher, bakery, newagent, chemist, and a delicatessen in the newer part of town outside the walls; everything you need for an extended stay during the off season 😍 Capalbio is the little jewel of the Maremma, and a wonderful base to visit the region. It's just 5 minutes from the coastal beaches and 15 minutes from Orbetello and the Argentario.

Book now @ casacapalbio.com

19/10/2024

Beautiful medieval Tarquinia was one of the oldest and most important of the ancient Etruscan cities, a commercial power by the 8th century BC, home of a dynasty of Etruscan kings, and a miltary stronghold with massive city walls that repelled Celtic invasions and battled extensively and successfully in wars against Rome before finally being subdued in 295BC.

The Necropolis of Monterozzi on the La Civita hill outside the old center is a UNESCO world heritage site because of its wealth of extensive Etruscan tombs, temples, frescos, paintings, and burial chambers, and the National Archaeological Museum of Tarquinia in town holds a remarkable world-renowned collection of ancient Etruscan art and artifacts.

More historical Maremma @ casacapalbio.com

Casa Capalbio