What to See and Do

There is a tourist office (www.altameremmmaturismo.it) where you can get complete, up-to-date information

Piazza Garibaldi with its enormous dramatic cathedral and its steps form the centre of Massa Marittima.
The Cathedral of Saint Cerbone was buitl in the 12th century as a pre-Romanesque building to which much remodelling and expansion has been carried out. The Pisan-Romanesque facade is bordered by a pair of lion heads and lorded over by representations of important scenes from Saint Cerbone’s life. 13th century blind arcades and a 15th century dome also form part of the cathedral. The lower half of the bell tower is the original 15th century bell tower. However, in the 20th century the top half was rebuilt.  There are many star sites inside the cathedral. It is designed like a basilica with rib vaultingm a 15th century nave and 17th century aisles. Goro di Gregorio’s Saint Cerbone’s Ark with some bas relief depicts important moments in his life, and also notable are Giovanni Pisano ‘s 14th century crucifix and Flaminio del Turco’s 17th century marble altar.
Cross over to the Palazzo Comunale where political decisions were made for centuries. It displays the recognisable Medici coat of arms as well as Siena’s wolf, Romulus and Remus.
The Palazzo Archeologico is situated in the Palazzo del Podestà in the same square.
Head for the Città Nuova to the Torre del Candeliere (Piazza Matteotti) which was part of the town´s defences and nearby you can see the Sienese Arch. Both the tower and the arch provide magnificent sights of old Massa Marittima.

Museo degli Organi Santa Cecilia showcases ancient organs, harpsichords and clavichords. A paradise for music enthusiasts sometimes the curator will even give demonstrations. There are two museums which deal with the past mining industry, the Museo della Miniera (tel. 0566 90 22 89, Via Corridoni) and the Museo di Arte e Storia delle Miniere.
The Museo di Arte Sacra (tel. 0566 90 19 54; Corso Diaz 36) holds such pieces as the Majesty by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, alabaster bas reliefs, sculptures, one of Pisano’s crucifix, Sano di Pietro and Stefano di Govanni’s paintings and ecclesiastical objects from the churches in town.

Celebrations

Held twice a year in May and August on Piazza Garibaldi, the Balestro del Girifalco recreates the atmosphere of the Middle Ages in a crossbow competition and other goings-on. 

The first half of July Massa Marittima fills with photographs brought by international professional photographers participating in the Toscana Foto Festival (www.toscanafotofestival).