Gavorrano Travel Guide

  View of the mountain carving out pyrite
by BruceDunning
 
  • View of the mountain carving out pyrite
      View of the mountain carving out pyrite
    by BruceDunning
  • Long range view of the hilltop town
      Long range view of the hilltop town
    by BruceDunning
  • Tourist at the entry gate
      Tourist at the entry gate
    by BruceDunning
  • View of the town upon entering
      View of the town upon entering
    by BruceDunning
  • View of the fields under til
      View of the fields under til
    by BruceDunning
 

Explore Gavorrano

Things to Do  

Enjoy the mountain views
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View of the town upon entering
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This town sits a top of a hill and all around the view is expansive surrounded by hills on all directions. The hill/mountain shown is of the carved out levels to get out the pyrite from the earth. Pyrite was the main reason for the town thriving back in its time. Now it still digs, but not as vibrant of a town to support the venture.

Updated Jul 14, 2009

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Arts and Culture

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Walk another hill to the top church
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Street view climbing to top
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At the top is church San Guilliano, a not so new structure built in 1700's and has many steps to get there, but they are gentle. The town is basically quite, and the walk up is sloping upward, obviously. The town was the seat for the Capoluogo and the castello di Pietra was a famed fortress. It now is a ruin, with only one wall standing.
The town name came from Latin Caput Boreum, and evolved into Cavarrano, then the current name. It got its first know time about 1000 AD from a saint Roselle. It was under control of Volterra and Massa Marritima, then it went to Sienese, and ultimately Florence rule.
The church at top of Saint Guiliano and was renovated n 1700's. The town walls are form 1200-1300's and are still very solid. In 1860 it became part of the new independence state.
Pyrite mines are the main stay for citizens here.

Updated Jun 18, 2009

Website: http://www.comune.gavorrano.gr.it/turismo/index.html

Related to:
 Museum Visits
 Historical Travel
 Architecture

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Hotels  

Hotel Pelagone

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Transportation  

By CAr-find a space
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BruceDunning 3411 reviews
Parking is available-look hard

Park along the road outside the walls. That seems to be the only way to find a spot. I believe inside the walls is reserved for locals and you need a parking pass sticker. WE parked by where this picture shows and walked into the town up a flight of stairs.

Written Aug 30, 2008

Related to:
 Architecture
 Arts and Culture

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Map of Gavorrano