Tuscany is a region of a thousand beauties with some amazing beaches, especially in the area near Livorno and Grosseto. One of these is certainly found in the Gulf of Baratti, near the city of Piombino. This strip of sand separates a crystalline sea and a verdant promontory and it has a peculiar reddish color, due to the presence of iron minerals in the soil. It's the perfect destination for families with kids, couples, groups of friends and even for animals, as their admitted in a small trait of the beach. The water is transparent, the sea bottom is shallow and the surrounding panorama is breathtaking.
Actually, Baratty is not only famous for its beach, but also for its thousand-year old history linked to Etruscan civilization. The close center of Populonia became one of Etruria's most important centers between IX and VI century BC. The proximity to the sea was fundamental to undertake a commercial activity based on metalworking. Later, Populonia allied with Rome and therefore there are many architectural remains attesting its influence, like ruins of mines, industrial sections and necropolises.
Many of these graves are located in the "Parco Archeologico di Baratti e Populonia", an area of 80 hectares reachable through the path of Via delle Cave. Inside it, you will find ancient necropolises like those of San Cerbone, Casone or Poggio alla Porcareccia, dating back to VII-VI century BC. Noble families were buried all together in monumental tombs called “a tumulo” or “a edicola”, looking like small temples and internally decorated. On the other hand, a humblest and simplest type of tomb is “a sarcofago” or “a cassone”, which is individual and not decorated. Outside the park, you will find other ancient necropolises dating back to Villanovan period (IX-VIII century BC), like the one in "Buca delle Fate" or the necropolis of "Le Grotte", dug in sandstone.
So here's another stop of your journey across Tuscany, an ideal place to visit during your summer holiday! If you are looking for a vacation rental near Baratti, check out our luxury properties, like “Castello Leopoldo”!
