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Mount Argentario Blue Flag 2010
The prize that the FEE European Foundation for Environmental Education awards each year to the administration that has shown special care to environmental politics was given to the City of Monte Argentiario on the 16th of May 2008.
History
Monte Argentario became an island following the accumulation of debris transported by the river or the sea. It was connected to Orbetello Tombolo.
There are two hypothesises on the etymology of the name "Argentario" One is that the name is derived from the light effects from the rocks and reflection of the sea, the other is that the name refers to "Argentari" bankers.
Crossing Orbetello Tombolo one arrives at Porto S. Stefano, situated at the northern end of the peninsula. Not long ago the peninsula was known as a fisherman's town, founded by Genovese ship wrecked mariners during the 15th century.
Today Porto S. Stefano is known as an elite town. Villas belonging to the famous are spread along the rocks outside the town and yachts belonging to the rich are docked in the characteristic port. Boats here depart for Giglio Island and Giannutri Island. On the southern side of the peninsula one arrives at Porto Ercole, a tourist hot spot frequented by V.I.P's. The town was dominated by a Spanish Fortress, shaped like a star. Nearby one comes upon a windy road called "the panoramica" that leads you down the Monte Argentario coast, offering many stops ideal for a swim in the clear sea.
In both towns, one can find authentic restaurants that serve sea food specials accompanied by local wine.
10 KM south of Basilio Town, one comes upon Feniglia and Ansedonia Tomboli. In 273 A.C. The Romans founded Cosa. Following the outbreak of Malaria in the I Century, the town was abandoned and destroyed by the Goth. During the Medial times, a castle was built above the remains of the temple, of which Ansedonia was built following the destruction by the Senese. Today, one can still visit the remains of the acropolis and the walls of the Muracon, as well as three gates and eighteen towers. At the foot of the fort one can find the antique gate of Portus Cosanus.
About 15 KM's south of Ansedonia one comes upon a green hill of Capalbio, a village surrounded by a wall built in the 15th century. Here one can enjoy an enchanting view of the entire Argentarian coast. Near the town stands Palazzo Collacchione, built on the remains of an "Aldobrandesce"fortess. Southeast of Capalbio one finds Garavicchio. Worth visiting is Giardino di Tarocchi built by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, open during the summer months.
"The Natural Park of Maremma", although called "Parco dell'Uccellina" extends on an area of 10.000 hectares, starting on the northern coast, from Proncipina a Mare extended to about 20km towards the south, arriving at Talamone. Nature morphs the delta of the Ombrone river, to the swamp of Trappola, to the dunes, to the pine forest, to the beach, and to the Uccellina Hills culminating at Poggio Lecci at 417 meters. Inside the park you can find the Abbey of San Rabano. During the guided Floral tour, you can see species that are extinct in the rest of Tuscany that still live in the park such as wild boar, wild cat, porcupines, tortoises, wild seal, hulk's and colombaccio, etc.. Entrances to the park are found in Alberese and in Talamone.
Talamone is located 15km north of Villa Basilio, on the boarder with the Natural Park of Maremma and the Argentarian coast. From this characteristic sea resort village one can enjoy a breathtaking view of Monte Argentario and Giglio Island. One can also see the port of Talamone and the Maremman hills. Thest hiory of Talamone goes back to the times of to the Etruscans. The village was called Port Tiamu by the Etruscans. After the fall of the Etruscan federation, came the Romans who named the port after one of their heroes Telamon. During medieval times the village belonged to the Senese, who built a castle near Talamone. The tower was built during the Spanish settlement.
In 1860 Giuseppe Garibaldi sorted out his men of arms and food here.
South of Talamone, one comes upon Talamonaccio, after the sea village of Fonteblanda, an antique village of Telamon. Here one can find the remains of an antique Roman Temple.
The peninsula of Monte Argentario, is connected to the mainland by Feniglia Tombolo and Giannella Tombolo, and to the Orbetello Lagoons, the largest lagoon of the Meditarranean inlands.
From the bridge that divides the two lagoons, one can admire multiple species of birds like the rare heron, flamingos, fisherman hulk, as well as white swans. Today Orbetello town has about 15,000 inhabitants. The Etruscans might have lived here during the 8th century A.C. The city walls near the sea were built during this time of occupation. Orbetello was then conquered by the Aldobrandeschi family, after by the Orsini family, finally by the Senese. The settling of Spanish between the 16th century and the 17th century left the Guzman Fortress which has become an archaeological museum.