Mappa Porto Santo Stefano | Ingrandire mappa

History

Because of the increased exposure to pirate raids, the center had low priority during the rule of Aldobrandeschi and of the Republic of Siena, but with its entry into the State of Presidi in the mid-16th century, the town became a center of great importance in Argentario. It was during this the construction of the Spanish Fort began, a powerful defensive structure that now hosts a permanent exhibition "Submerged Memories". Like all other centers in the area, Porto Santo Stefano joined the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the first half of the 19th century.

Besides the fortress, the territory still plays host to two Spanish lookout towers; Lividonia and dell'Argentiera, the latter situated on the slopes of Mount Argentario which dominates the whole Santo Stefano area.[4][5]

Annual events

Notable events in the town include the Palio Marinaro, an annual 4,000-metre (2.5-mile) rowing regatta – a boat is called a "gozzo" (plural "gozzi") – which is held every August between the four districts.[6] The prize was started in 1937, but discontinued from 1940 to 1944 because of World War II. The list of victories are:[7] 23 victories for the Pilarella district, 19 for the Cross district, 16 for the Valley and 13 for the Fortress district.

Transportation and infrastructure

Porto Santo Stefano was once connected by rail to Orbetello via a small rail line, closed in 1944.[8][9] The town has two port harbors: Porto Vecchio and Porto del Valle.

Porto Santo Stefano has regular ferry service to the Isola del Giglio (Giglio Island). After the capsizing of the cruise ship Costa Concordia on 13 January 2012, many of the ship's passengers and crew were evacuated to the mainland on these ferries.[10]

Porto Santo Stefano

Fortezza Spagnola

Porto Santo Stefano

Cala Grande dalla strada panoramica di Porto Santo Stefano

Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Vecchio e Fortezza Spagnola

Fortezza Spagnola

Stadio del turchese dove viene svolto il palio marinaro dell'Argentario, Porto Santo Stefano

Palio marinaro dell'Argentario, Porto Santo Stefano

References

Traveling in Tuscany| Holiday homes in southern Tuscany | Podere Santa Pia

Cicloturismo nella Maremma in Toscana | 35 Percorsi ciclistici

31. Il giro della laguna di Levante

Orbetello - Località Terrarossa - Tombolo della Feniglia - Ansedonia (Cosa ) - Via di Camerette - Orbetello Scalo - Orbetello

32. Giro del Monte Argentario

Orbetello - Porto Ercole - Punta Avvoltore - Strada Panoramica - Porto Santo Stefano - Orbetello

[1] Foto di Ceppicone, licenziato in base ai termini della licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione-Condividi allo stesso modo 3.0 Unported