Suspended over the water, Istia d’Ombrone is a village with much to tell the discerning traveler, those who like to discover lesser-known destinations far from the hustle and bustle of the cities. Born in the midst of the eddies of the Ombrone Iscla, the ancient name in honor of the islet on which it rose, it tells a great story that still flows through the alleys and forges unique scenery with its colorful houses and flowering terraces. The village, located a few miles from the heart of Grosseto, arose long before the year 1000 thanks to a ford on the river. A castle connected to the Aldobrandeschi was founded above the rise, then a transit and embarkation station for men, merchants, and pilgrims was developed on the banks of the river.
Two turreted gates remain as evidence of this important past in which the castle collected duties on the salt trade on the Ombrone River. Moving through the alleys, you can spot stately buildings, the ancient castle, the Santo Stefano Church and the Santissimo Salvatore Church, probably dating back to the Lombard period and preserving 15ᵗʰ- and 16ᵗʰ-century Renaissance works, including a valuable panel painting by Vincenzo Tamagni dated 1528 depicting the meeting between Saint Joachim and Saint Anne near the gateway of Porta Aurea.
As you leave Istia d’Ombrone and follow the paths along the riverbank, you can reach two interesting locations. The first is the Fattoria Fortificata della Grancia, which began as a Cistercian monastery and later became a farm under the rule of the Lorraine. The other is Ponte Tura, a beautiful example of 19ᵗʰ-century industrial archaeology: a sluice gate that regulated the water levels of the Ombrone River and protected the countryside from flooding, the first witness to the reclaimed Maremma. Even today, strolling around this imposing structure, you can reach the pyramid commemorating the inauguration of the canal adjacent to the bridge dated April 26, 1830. The rich vegetation and trails that can be walked or biked make Istia d’Ombrone one of the most popular tourist destinations for slow movers.
