Castellina Marittima
THE REDHEAD OF THE CASTLE
Ghost? Me? Ghosts are white and drag clanging chains behind them. Instead, I have a scarlet cloak that is just a tone brighter than my curly red hair. It’s true, I’ve been here in the Castello Mediceo for a long time now, the Lady of the Manor they call me. But, I never meant to scare anyone, not even when I wander at night along the narrow alleys of the village. I don’t have bad intentions: I only walk for a little while before the dawn breaks.
Yet, this would be such a beautiful place to live with the sun! The woods above the road, the sea on the horizon, the flashes of yellow of the fields that slope down to the valley… I remember something, at times, of when I was alive. Nevertheless, now and for many years I have been watching over this village from the atop of my terrace: the roofs of the houses… one shingle, one tile… one shingle, one tile… the people who have passed, pass and will pass by this little square, the Museo dell’Alabastro.
This reminds me of the cavaioli who walked at dawn toward the quarry, each with a gas lamp in his hand, so many little flames to light up the way. (Cavaioli are alabaster quarrymen, editor’s note). Poor fellows, all day mining the bowels of the earth to extract alabaster. All day in the dark, as I understand it. But this is such a beautiful place to see under the light of the sun… oh, here it is, rising! I must go back, but you must return to find me. Come with the sun, which is all the more beautiful. At nightfall, I will find you.
FOR THOSE WHO LOVE NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Not far from the sea, a mild climate, a landscape of olive trees, grapevines, wheat, cypresses, and Mediterranean vegetation: Castellina is a pleasant place resting on a hill of red soil and rock, material used to build the houses and the castle. The origins are uncertain: some historians speak of the Etruscan period referring to the systems of alabaster extraction. What is certain is that in the Middle Ages its castle had a particular strategic importance due to its proximity to the coast and as the defense of Rosignano Marittimo and the dominating control point of the Via Emilia (Emilia Road).
In the area there is a large gypsum basin with thick, overlapping banks, where a pure and precious alabaster was formed: the Bianco di Castellina (Castellina White), whose history can be learned by visiting the alabaster eco-museum. For those who love walking or cycling, Castellina offers a variety of trails through natural areas, and follows the Etruscan Coast Wine Road where you can encounter the production of fi ne wines. This is the land of crushed olives ground by granite grindstone and the Festoval of the “cucina povera “, made of traditional dishes and authentic flavors, but also the Wiva Music Festival, an important showcase for emerging musicians.
TOURIST INFO
Municipality
Info Point
+39 050.694111
castellinamarittima@costadeglietruschi.eu
