Orbetello

The village’s historic centre is full of magnificent monuments, such as the walls that surround the city.

These ramparts originate from the Etruscan era and were reinforced in the 16^th century, when the Spanish completed the impressive entrance doors and the fortress’s construction.

The Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral is equally as impressive, with its sparkling clean façade and its beautiful rose window which, according to some, could even be at the foundations of the city’s name.

The rose window was reminiscent of the Duomo of Orvieto, leading to the renaming of the lagoon town as Orvietello – little Orvieto.

The perfect subject for a captivating photo is the 15th-century Spanish mill, with its unobtrusive charm, located in the center of the calm waters of the lagoon. The building was part of a group of nine mills that extended in a line across the lagoon and it was built by the Sienese to grind flour, which was transported by small boats. At that time, the mill was operated by the force of the water that came in and out of the lagoon with ebbs and flows every six hours from the Tombolo della Giannella, a vast hydraulic phenomenon that turned the millstones.

About a century and a half later, in 1557, Orbetello became the capital of the State of the Presidi, created at the behest of King Philip I of Spain. It was under Spanish rule that sails were added to the mill, so that it could harness the power of the winds.

Once here, it’s absolutely worth exploring the town’s surroundings, which are full of distinctive and fascinating places such as the delightful port of Talamone, a picturesque and isolated fishing village. Built on a rocky headland around a 15th century fortress, the port offers incredible panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian coast and the surrounding islands, in particular Isola del Giglio. Talamone's origins are very ancient; spearheads dating from the Neolithic period have been found, and Etruscans and Romans chose this promontory to build a settlement. The fortress of Talamone has the shape of a square, like a large keep, reinforced on the corners towards the sea by three turrets and in the inner corner by a taller and more massive one, serving as a watchtower.

The Ansedonia archaeological park is also a vital part of the region, and is a renowned holiday resort whose lands have uncovered archaeological remains of the city of Cosa, an important third century BC Roman colony.

The Tagliata Etrusca, an open channel in the rock, is also found on these shores; near it is the so-called Spacco della Regina, a deep cave which you can enter and discover a fascinating and mysterious place filled with mythological sensations.

Perhaps the most typical event to take place in the area is Corsa dei Barchini, a regatta between the five districts of Orbetello that takes place every May and involves the lagoon’s traditional boats. The tradition dates back to 1768, when the first regatta took place in celebration of the marriage between Fernando IV of Naples and Maria Carolina of Austria.

In February the Carnevaletto da tre soldi takes place, a parade of floats with participants dressed in masks that celebrates the most colourful festival of the year.

Fish have always been right at the heart of the town, finding their perfect habitat in the lagoon’s shallow waters. Legend has it that the people of Orvieto, occasionally prone to laziness, only had to paddle over the shallow lake to get food and would never have been overly preoccupied with life’s challenges. Stories aside, the lagoon’s fish are renowned for their excellent quality and delicious recipes.

Other unmissable traditional products include the anguilla sfumata (smoked eel), a dish with a crunchy and slightly acidulous taste that is perfect for a unique aperitif at sunset and, if you’re particularly lucky, accompanied by a beautiful flight of flamingos in the lagoon.