There are few places in the Maremma with a history like Magliano in Toscana. The town is positively surrounded by archaeological sites and necropolises that remain proof, not only of its ancient existence, but also of its importance during the Iron Age and the Roman Empire.

In fact, historians place Magliano in Toscana’s origins somewhere around the 6th century BC.

Naturally today’s Magliano in Toscana wasn’t built by Etruscan hands. Instead it is starkly medieval, shaped by the Aldobrandeschi in the 11th century and shut-off from enemies by an imposing curtain of tall stone.

It’s actually this incredible stone wall that has become Magliano in Toscana’s claim to tourist fame.

Unlike most towns, Magliano in Toscana remains embraced by a wall that is almost intact. Unfortunately, it’s not the original medieval wall, but one that was reinforced by the Sienese Republic in the 15th century in an effort to make the town even more impressive and even less impregnable.

As cold and restricting as it sounds, this wall actually continues to play an important role in not only the look of Magliano in Toscana, but also its feel.

Up close, the wall loses its foreboding feel as tall oaks and evergreen Mediterranean shrubs cover it and age-worn houses with different coloured tiles and small courtyard gardens sprout from it.

For Magliano in Toscana’s locals, the wall is comforting, protecting them in the past from enemies and today from the ever-encroaching march of modernity. And they like it that way.

The locals here rarely welcome contemporary guiles, preferring to stick to the tried and tested traditions and content with sourcing everything they can’t personally grow or make from the small fruit shops and bakeries rather than the large supermarket on the outskirts of town.

If you’re a wine connoisseur or just an appreciative drinker don’t leave Magliano in Toscana without trying (and buying) some their locally produced Morellino di Scansano. It’s such an experience that the town dedicates an annual festival to it. The festival is called Vinellando and is held at the end of August each year.

EVENTS

Vinellando

August

In its 12th year, Vinellando is three days of wine and festivities. Don’t despair if you’re underage or not a drinker, the event is plenty of fun anyway with games, music and street artists.

Vox Mundi Festival

July- August

Translated from Latin as “Voices of the World Festival”, the Vox Mundi is a series of, usually, six concerts held in the Piazza del Popolo on some of the most beautiful summer nights of the year.