Populonia

Populonia, small town with a big past is situated in a large bay in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Etruscans founded the formerly thriving port and left a necropolis for ensuing ages.

Today the town, complete with its own fortress, is located on a hill overlooking the excavation sight, which is well worth visiting.

Town by the Tyrrhenian Sea

Unique panoramas stretch across the sea and along the Tuscan archipelago. The town, which consists of a few houses, bars and small shops stands within mediaeval walls.

Former ore production

The roots of the Etruscan settlement can be traces back to the 9th century B.C. The Etruscans, and later the Romans, processed ore, which was won from the nearby Colline Metallifere, as well as from the island of Elba. The cinder, which was produced from this, was spread out throughout the area. The remains of smelting were even spread over the graves of the ancient Etruscans.

Etruscan necropolis

Thick layers of cinder covered the necropolis, which wasn't excavated until the beginning of the 20th century. The impressive graves and old workshops can be visited in the newly designed Parco Archeologico di Baratti e Populonia.

Populonia Alta

Even bishops resided in Populonia. After they left the town in 835, the importance of the settlement waned. A mighty fortress was built on the strategically situated knoll of Populonia during the Middle Ages.

The impressive construction from the 14th century, complete with one cylindrical and one square tower still dominate the landscape today.

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