Perched on a hill just a few kilometers from the sea, Casale Marittimo overlooks the Etruscan Coast with its timeless charm: a stone village suspended between past and present, where medieval walls, Roman traces, and cobbled alleys blend with the welcoming atmosphere of a community that has preserved its identity over the centuries.
Awarded the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club, which certifies the quality of its tourism and environment, Casale Marittimo is recognized as a village of excellence thanks to the care of its historic center, the protection of the surrounding landscape, and the richness of its cultural heritage.
The history of Casale Marittimo goes back to antiquity. The area was inhabited as early as the Etruscan era, as shown by necropolises and artifacts now preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Cecina. Later, it became a Roman villa, and only in the Middle Ages did it develop into a fortified castle around which the village took shape.
Even today, walking through the alleys reveals this layered history: Roman capitals reused as holy water fonts, medieval arches opening onto unexpected views, and Renaissance palaces in dialogue with contemporary art.
Parking is easy: just outside the historic center we found a convenient free area, the perfect starting point for setting off on foot along the cobbled streets leading into the heart of the village.
1. The Church of Sant’Andrew
Our arrival in Casale was marked by the Church of Sant’Andrea, standing out with its simple yet elegant façade. Although the current building dates back to the late 19th century, its soul is much older: in fact, it was here that a medieval parish church once stood, destroyed by the earthquake of 1871. The reconstruction preserved a sober spirit, enriched with symbolic elements.
The bell tower houses a sculpture depicting humanity’s boat anchored to the cross, a powerful allegory of salvation and faith. Inside, soft light filters through the painted wooden trusses, contrasting with the vivid frescoes created in the 1980s by the painter Stefano Ghezzani from Lucca.
2. Palazzo della Canonica
Continuing along the cobbled alleys, you reach the Palazzo della Canonica, a building that deceives the eye: at first glance it seems to date back to the 15th century, but in reality it was built in 1940. Its uniqueness lies in the materials: stones, capitals, and jambs from the ancient Roman villa located near the La Pieve estate were recovered and reused, making the palace not only harmonious within the medieval context of the village, but also a symbol of Casale’s layered history.
In the small square in front of the palace stands the bronze sculpture Small Couple on a Parallelepiped (1997) by Giuseppe Bergomi. Placed among the stone walls, it creates a striking contrast that links contemporary art with the historic fabric of the village. This is one of the stops of the project “Arte diffusa sulla costa toscana”, which continues through Casale Marittimo: from here to the Piazza del Popolo, where the Oratory of San Sebastiano hosts Colazione a letto (2024), depicting the artist together with his wife, daughters, and granddaughters, a tribute to three generations of his family; and finally to the Coppaio, where the bronze Ilaria e Valentina su parallelepipedo (2003) stands in a panoramic square overlooking the sky, the lush countryside, and the sea.
3. The Clock Tower and the Casa del Camarlingo
After exploring the heart of the village, our walk led us toward the edge of the oldest quarter, which the locals still call the “Castello”. Here stands the Clock Tower, built in 1854 on the site of one of the medieval gates: today it symbolically marks the boundary between the historic center and the open landscape of countryside and sea.
Next to it is the Casa del Camarlingo, one of the oldest buildings in the village. In the Middle Ages, it housed the community’s financial administrator, a central figure in the civic life of Casale. Its solid, austere walls recall the strategic role the village once held as a fortified stronghold.
4. Piazza del Popolo and the Oratory of San Sebastiano
A ramp leads us to Piazza del Popolo, the social and cultural heart of Casale Marittimo. This small yet lively square, animated by cafés, restaurants, and outdoor tables, is the ideal place to pause and observe daily life unfolding among residents and visitors.
Overlooking the square is the Oratory of San Sebastiano, another stop along the exhibition route Arte diffusa sulla costa toscana. This small, intimate church houses Colazione a letto (2024), one of Giuseppe Bergomi’s most recent works. The sculpture, depicting the artist together with his wife, daughters, and granddaughters, is a tribute to three generations of his family: a large sculptural group reminiscent of a raft–mausoleum, symbolizing the stages of life. Its presence within the oratory establishes a powerful dialogue between ancient and contemporary, reinforcing Casale’s role as a living stage for artistic culture.
We ended our walk in Piazza del Popolo, sitting in the shade with a refreshing chinotto and tonic water. There we met Norbert, a German tourist who has been spending his holidays here with his family for years, in love with the village and its tranquility, and Luigi, an underwater photographer currently traveling through Italy in search of the most beautiful villages to capture.
In this way, we were able to savor the magic of Casale Marittimo: a timeless place that revealed itself little by little as we wandered through its alleys, leaving us with the desire to return. Perhaps at sunset, when the warm light of the sun caresses the village’s stone walls and paints the landscape stretching toward the sea in vivid colors.
