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Gavorrano rises along one slope of Monte Calvo in an area particularly rich in mineral deposits and had remained a considerable mine centre until a few decades ago. The town is surrounded by marvelous countryside filled with vineyards, olive and chestnut groves and characteristic medieval villages of extraordinary beauty. It hosts one of the most interesting old town centers that testifies to the history and life of the mines: the Museo Minerario del Parco delle Rocce, a mineral museum inside a park. Gavorrano, like many towns in Maremma, was under the protection of the Medici after having been under the rule of the Roselle bishops, the house of Alberti, the Pannocchieschi family and the Republic of Siena. It became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the 16th century. Literature buffs will surely remember Gavorrano for the legend of the Contessa Pia de’ Tolomei . The story tells of a countess, wife of the local lord Nello Pannocchieschi, imprisoned by her own husband in the Castello di Pietra (Stone Castle) who fell to her death when thrown out of a castle window. Nello wanted to free himself of this wife so he could marry Margherita Aldobrandeschi. Dante tells the story in the Purgatorio of his Divine Comedy. Every year the town organizes a reenactment of Pia’s death with “The Reenactment of the Contessa’s Fall” in full costume to commemorate the episode. Gavorrano offers many interesting events and town festivals pertaining to local traditions as well as many evenings dedicated to jazz.
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