Monterotondo Marittimo
What to see between the medieval village and the steaming Biancane
Monterotondo Marittimo is a small medieval village in the Colline Metallifere (Metal-bearing Hills) of the upper Maremma, best known for a landscape you would never expect to find in Tuscany: steam rising from the ground, rocks shading from red to ochre to white, hot water bubbling at the surface. This is the land of geothermal energy, brought to life by the Parco Naturalistico delle Biancane (Biancane Nature Park) and the MUBIA geomuseum.
Easy to reach by car from Campiglia Marittima and Venturina Terme via Suvereto, it is an ideal day out for anyone who wants to leave the coast behind for a day and discover a different side of the area, combining nature, mining history and village life.
Where is Monterotondo Marittimo?
The village stands at over 500 metres above sea level, in the province of Grosseto, at a point where three provinces meet: Grosseto, Pisa and Livorno. Its name comes from the Latin Mons Rotundus (“round hill”), after the rounded shape of the hill it is built on.
Although it is not part of the Val di Cornia, Monterotondo lies just behind it, on the hills separating it from the Val di Cecina, and is reached by driving inland from Suvereto.
Approximate time from Campiglia Marittima: about 40 minutes by car.
Reasons to visit Monterotondo Marittimo
Monterotondo combines two experiences in a single day: a stroll through a compact, peaceful village, with the remains of its medieval fortress and its churches, and a walk through a unique geothermal landscape just a short distance from the centre. It is a great destination for families, walkers and anyone curious to discover how the power of the earth has shaped the landscape and history of this area.
Request a quoteWhat to see in the village of Monterotondo Marittimo
The historic centre is easy to explore on foot in a couple of hours, through stone lanes and small squares, with glimpses of the surrounding hills.
The Rocca degli Alberti
In the upper part of the village are the remains of the old 13th-century castle, the Rocca degli Alberti (Alberti fortress), linked to the family that controlled the area for a long time. Monterotondo appears in documents as early as 1128, and in 1163 Emperor Frederick Barbarossa confirmed the Alberti’s privileges over the castle.
The Church of San Lorenzo
At the heart of the village stands the Chiesa di San Lorenzo (Church of St Lawrence), a natural stop on any walk through the centre.
Piazza Casalini and the Palazzo Comunale
The main square, Piazza Ateo Casalini, is overlooked by the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) with its clock tower, dating from 1613.
The Church of Santa Croce
Just outside the centre is the small Chiesa di Santa Croce (Church of the Holy Cross), Romanesque in origin.
Le Stanze di Renato Fucini
The historic centre is home to Le Stanze di Renato Fucini (Renato Fucini’s Rooms), a storytelling museum dedicated to the Tuscan writer that takes visitors into the world of his tales.
The Parco Naturalistico delle Biancane
Just a short walk from the village lies the Parco Naturalistico delle Biancane, the reason many people choose to visit Monterotondo. Along the trail you will come across steam jets (“soffioni”), fumaroles, gas vents and columns of vapour escaping from cracks in the rock, while the ground, altered by heat and gases, takes on surprising colours. Even the vegetation has adapted to these unusual conditions, creating an environment found nowhere else.
The starting point is the Lagone Cerchiaio, where in 1777 Uberto Francesco Hoefer discovered boric acid in the geothermal waters. The park is part of the Parco delle Colline Metallifere, a UNESCO Global Geopark, and is always open, with free admission.
MUBIA, the Biancane GeoMuseum
To really understand what is happening beneath your feet, round off your visit at the MUBIA – GeoMuseo delle Biancane. The museum explains geothermal phenomena through interactive and multimedia stations and the GeoNave, which simulates a journey seven kilometres down into the earth.
At the museum you can also hire augmented-sound audio guides to explore the park with a narrator, available in several languages.
Practical tip: opening hours and tickets may change during the year, so always check them before you set off.
Things to do around Monterotondo Marittimo
Lago Boracifero
A short distance from the village is the hamlet of Lago Boracifero, overlooking the lake of the same name, where bubbling waters and steam vents recall the long history of borax and boric acid production that began here in the first half of the 19th century.
Trekking among the steam
Walkers can choose from routes linking the geothermal areas, such as the loop of about three hours that starts from the hamlet of Lagoni and also takes in the village of Sasso Pisano.
Local flavours
The countryside around Monterotondo produces cheese, olive oil and wine along the Strada del Vino Monteregio (Monteregio Wine Route). A stop at the Caseificio Podere Paterno dairy is the best way to take home a taste of the area.
How much time do you need?
A couple of hours is enough for the village. If you add the Biancane park and the MUBIA, allow at least half a day, while those who want to walk to Lago Boracifero or along the geothermal loops can easily fill a whole day.
Village: 1.5–2 hours.
Village, Biancane and MUBIA: half a day.
Village and surroundings: a full day.
The best time to visit Monterotondo Marittimo
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for walking in the park. On cooler days the columns of steam are also more visible, making the landscape even more striking. In summer, visit the Biancane early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as there is little shade along the trail.
Recommended period: March to June and September to November.
Practical information
- Type of visit: historic village and geothermal nature area.
- Parco delle Biancane: always open, free admission.
- What to wear: comfortable closed shoes; bring water and a hat in the warmer months.
- Caution: in the park it is important to stay on the marked trails, as the water and steam reach very high temperatures. You may notice the smell of sulphur typical of geothermal areas.
- Ideal for: families, walkers, and lovers of nature, geology and photography.
A perfect stop on your holiday
Monterotondo Marittimo is an ideal excursion if you are staying in the Val di Cornia and want to swap the beach for a day inland. On the way you pass through Suvereto, perfect for a stop, while the theme of mines and the earth’s resources can be explored further at the Parco Archeominerario di San Silvestro (San Silvestro Archaeological Mining Park) or among the woods and alum quarries of the Montioni Park.
Back from a day of walking, there is nothing better than relaxing at the Terme di Venturina thermal baths.
Plan your stay
Plan your experience with Ama Campiglia Marittima
On the Ama Campiglia Marittima portal you can find out where to stay, where to eat and which experiences to enjoy among the sea, historic villages and nature of the Val di Cornia, and fit Monterotondo Marittimo into a tailor-made stay.
Get a quoteFrequently asked questions about Monterotondo Marittimo
Where is Monterotondo Marittimo?
It is in the province of Grosseto, in the Colline Metallifere of the upper Maremma, on the border with the provinces of Pisa and Livorno.
How far is it from Campiglia Marittima?
It takes about 40 minutes by car from Campiglia Marittima and Venturina Terme, via Suvereto.
What are the Biancane?
A natural area shaped by geothermal phenomena such as steam jets, fumaroles and gas vents, which turn the ground pale and almost lunar. The Parco Naturalistico delle Biancane is a short walk from the village centre.
Is there a fee for the Parco delle Biancane?
No, the park is always open and admission is free. There is a charge for the MUBIA, the geomuseum explaining the area’s geothermal phenomena.
Is Monterotondo Marittimo suitable for children?
Yes, the Biancane trail and the interactive museum are very popular with younger visitors too. It is important to always stay on the marked trails.
How much time do you need to visit Monterotondo?
The village can be seen in a couple of hours; with the Biancane and the MUBIA you need at least half a day.
What is the best time to go?
Spring and autumn, when temperatures are ideal for walking and the steam is more visible.
Photo credits (via Wikimedia Commons): Roberto Baroni: Monterotondo Marittimo seen from the Biancane (CC BY-SA 4.0); Mongolo1984: Palazzo Comunale with its clock tower in Monterotondo Marittimo (CC BY-SA 4.0), Remains of the Rocca degli Alberti in Monterotondo Marittimo (CC BY-SA 4.0); LigaDue: Parco Naturalistico delle Biancane in Monterotondo Marittimo (CC BY 3.0), Lago Boracifero, Monterotondo Marittimo (CC BY-SA 4.0), Panorama of Monterotondo Marittimo (CC BY 3.0); Costaetrusca: Geothermal steam in the Parco delle Biancane (CC BY-SA 4.0).
