ORBETELLO

'Orbetello' is a town and commune in the province of Grosseto (Tuscany), Italy. It is located c. 35 km south of Grosseto, on the eponymous lagoon, which is home to an important Natural Reserve.

Contents

History

Main sights

History

Orbetello was an ancient Etruscan settlement, which in 280 BC passed under the control of the Romans, who had founded their colony of Cosa (near the modern Ansedonia).
In the Middle Ages it was a possession of the Aldobrandeschi family, who held it until the 14th century, when it was acquired by the city of Orvieto. After several struggles with the Orsini of Pitigliano and Orvieto, in the following centuries Orbetello was captured by the Sienese Republic. In the mid-16th century it was part of the Spanish puppet State of Presides, becoming its capital. Later it was under the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and, from the late 19th century, the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.
In 1927-1933, Italo Balbo's "air cruises" started from Orbetello's lagoon.

Main sights

★ The city walls (5th century BC).

★ Cathedral of ''Santa Maria Assunta'', built over an Etruscan-Roman temple and restructured in 1375 along Tuscan-Gothic lines. Preceded by a step, it houses some notable 15th century frescoes.

★ The Spanish ''Forte delle Saline'', in the ''frazione'' of Albinia.

★ Remains of the Roman city of Cosa in the ''frazione'' of Ansedonia.

★ Ruins of the Monastery of ''Sant'Angelo''.