Offbeat Maremma: visit Rocchette di Fazio and Semproniano

Last but not least the end of #toomuchmaremma where I had the chance to discover very unconventional places, hidden jems of this piece of Maremma. In the surroundings of Montemerano there are several beautiful places, that I hope you’ll visit one day.

Rocchette di Fazio

Thanks to Azeglio, owner of Hotel il Melograno, I discovered this tiny little village, that is simply TooMuchTuscany! It’s incredibly beautiful and full of curiosities, such as the mysterious face on the ancient hospital. As a matter of fact Rocchette di Fazio dates back to 11th century and then became property of the Aldobrandeschi family and afterwards of other important families ruling over this part of Maremma.

You can still admire the XI century defensive walls, the ancient castle with part of its original buildings such as the Justice Palace. Then there is the ancient hospital related to the knights Templar. On the buildings you can notice several Templar symbols, but the most interesting thing is the mysterious face that someone relates to Baphomet, pagan idol. But someone else thinks this is the face of Saint Thomas, or of God himself.

In the village there are non shops, just one restaurant and 50 residents.

Semproniano

It’s a nice village not far from Rocchette di Fazio and Saturnia. The center is a maze of streets and stairs crossing it entirely. On top of the village there are the rest of the Aldobrandeschi fortress, from where you can admire the stunning landscape of the surroundings. On top you can admire also the Church of Santa Croce, preserving a precious wooden Crucifix.

Then there is the Church of Santi Vincenzo and Anastasio, dating back to 13th century preserving some Romanesque elements. I got lost into the center and was stunned from its beauty. Even though Semproniano doesn’t preserve all the original parts, such as the pavements, it’s still a very charming place.

Before leaving Maremma I visited the farmhouse Aia della Colonna. It’s an original farm with about 100 Maremma cows, Cinta Senese pigs, goats, chickens, sheep and horses. The farm produces hams and cheese, everything handmade with passion and hard work.

It organizes cooking classes and ceramics classes. You can stay in one of the welcoming apartments or rooms surrounded by the wild Maremma and enjoy its peaceful atmosphere. In addition you can eat local food, handmade pasta at the farm restaurant and get spoiled by its warm hospitality.

To explore this area you must have a car and a good map, but it’s one of the most beautiful places I visited in Tuscany. It’s still wild and real,where nature is incredibly beautiful. You can experience the real Tuscany and simply get stunned from it!