Campiglia Marittima is a well preserved medieval town not far from the Tuscan coast south east of Livorno.There are lots of wonderful winding laneways and stone arches to explore. We wandered through on a lovely spring day.
I found a fine collection of doorways.
In the centre of town is the Palazzo Pretorio dating from the 13th century. The outside of the building is covered with 65 crests of the Capitani del Popolo.
The ruin of a castle sits at the top of the town. La Rocca was built between the 12th and 14th centuries, possibly on the site of an earlier castle or fort. Until the end of the 13th century the buildings were inhabited by the Della Gherardesca family who were responsible for turning a group of huts into a village.
There isn’t much left of the castle, but there are some excellent views from the top.
The Church of San Giovanni sits just outside the main group of houses in the town. It is surrounded by a graveyard in a lovely garden setting.
The church stands on a bare platform…I have not seen a church like this anywhere else. It is quite stark, but there are some interesting statues and stone carvings.
Around the church of San Giovanni are some strange symbols. On the ground in front of the church door is paved with what is undoubtedly a tombstone. This bears various inscriptions and a very curious central motif; an androgynous body which is male below the waist, female above. The figure seems to be holding a torch in its right hand, while supporting itself against a board.
The same figure, but more distinct is to be found on the house at number 4 Via B.Buozzi in the village. Here the figure seems to be holding a number 3 rather than a torch. The figure is a bit of a mystery…perhaps it was an early pizza shop and he/ she was ordering 3 pizzas.
Campiglia Marittima is well worth a visit…see if you can work out what is the meaning of the figure.
Beautiful!
By: ExpeditionMeg on June 23, 2015
at 7:42 am
Italy is full of these beautiful places…we are slowly working our way through them.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 23, 2015
at 9:18 am
Looks a great little place, thanks for the stroll!
By: Sue on June 23, 2015
at 8:03 am
It is always a delight to walk through these ancient streets.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 23, 2015
at 9:18 am
I love these narrow streets and old houses and sculptures and yes cats 🙂 Amazing place, you took me there through your photographs. Thank you, love, nia
By: niasunset on June 23, 2015
at 8:29 am
There are always cats willing to pose for photos.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 23, 2015
at 9:19 am
What a great looking town. Great photos. I think I saw a wisteria
By: Lyn on June 23, 2015
at 9:21 am
The wisteria was beautiful this spring.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 24, 2015
at 6:41 am
I wonder if that cat is a distant relative of Garibaldi’s – they look a bit similar.
Lovely place & lovely photos!
By: sheilasunshine on June 23, 2015
at 10:29 am
They do look a bit similar.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 24, 2015
at 6:42 am
It does look a fascinating place to explore. I’m sure you must have returned more than once.
By: Mallee Stanley on June 23, 2015
at 1:07 pm
That was our first visit to Campiglia Marittima, but we have been to other towns in the area.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 24, 2015
at 6:43 am
What a gorgeous place, thanks for taking us on a tour.
By: Gerlinde on June 23, 2015
at 2:07 pm
It is a really interesting little town, I’m glad we went.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 24, 2015
at 6:47 am
Looks like a delightful town. We have not been there, but we will. Thank you for the tip, Deb.
As for the strange figure, it represents Hermaphroditus, and it has been used quite a bit in Greco-Roman art, although you do not see many examples outside museums. Here is some interesting information https://en.m.wikipedia.org/?title=Hermaphroditus
By: Mulino Dominillo on June 23, 2015
at 2:18 pm
There are apparently several mysterious figures around the town, but we didn’t find the others.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 24, 2015
at 6:46 am
Very intriguing! Love the idea of #3 meaning she is ordering 3 pizzas at a pizza shop. Maybe…..:)
By: timelessitaly on June 23, 2015
at 3:15 pm
I wonder what significance of the 3 really is.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 24, 2015
at 6:47 am
This made me want to be there so badly…. note to my self “must make it to Italy next year”. Now just have to work on finding affordable accommodation!
By: Shani W on June 23, 2015
at 10:59 pm
There is lots of affordable accommodation if you stay in smaller villages.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 24, 2015
at 6:48 am
You seem to uncover gem after gem.
By: aFrankAngle on June 24, 2015
at 1:08 am
There is an endless supply of gems in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 24, 2015
at 6:49 am
Such stunning photos! My heart aches to visit Italy again.
By: Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella on June 24, 2015
at 4:51 am
Once Italy gets under you skin there is no escape.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 24, 2015
at 6:49 am
Ciao Debra. You always show me a side of Italy I don’t know about. 🙂 Thanks..! Stunning photos. Btw I noticed that you had subscribed to my BLOG and your subscription is very much active. Hope you are now getting emails from my blog as everything seems to be fine at my end now 🙂 thanks a lot again! love-ishita
By: ishitasood on June 24, 2015
at 9:43 am
Those old walls manage to look so effortlessly lovely and timeless – they would have witnessed so much. I love the view through the open door to the world beyond – I’m sure Hermaphrodite would have ordered 3 pizzas if she could have!
By: Jan on June 24, 2015
at 11:47 am
There are so many beautiful places and buildings to see in Italy. I once heard the whole country called an outdoor museum and that seems such an apt description.
By: Just Add Attitude on June 24, 2015
at 2:10 pm
What a beautiful city Debra! So much to explore in Italy!
By: thirdeyemom on June 25, 2015
at 12:58 am
The church is truly ancient by the look of it Deb. Simply but imposing. The green doors always make me smile. This place has a lovely feel – even just from your photos. Sounds like you liked it too.
By: janinevasta on June 26, 2015
at 12:46 pm
You have a great mind to find hidden gems. May I ask what camera you use? Cheers 🙂
By: ishitasood on July 13, 2015
at 12:39 pm
I have had a few cameras. The current one is a Panasonic LUMIX.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 13, 2015
at 9:35 pm
Thanks Debra 🙂 Lovely shots!
By: ishitasood on July 14, 2015
at 4:41 am