Location
Via Don Sebastiano Leone, 65, Pratoranieri, Follonica (GR) Italy
Campiglia Marittima is a hilltop medieval village in the Val di Cornia, 25 km and half an hour’s drive from Golfo del Sole: the Rocca with its museum, the Palazzo Pretorio with its coats of arms, the Pieve di San Giovanni and the small Teatro dei Concordi. Behind it lies the San Silvestro Archaeological Mining Park, with mines you can visit and a little mine train: 2–3 hours for the village, a full day with the park.
Its proximity to Follonica makes Campiglia Marittima suitable both for a stroll of a few hours and for a full-day trip. You can visit the village in the morning, stop for lunch and spend the rest of the day on the park’s mines, museums and trails.
In this guide you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit: what to see in the historic centre, how to visit the Archaeological Mining Park, how much time to allow and how to put together an itinerary starting from Golfo del Sole.
Campiglia Marittima is in the province of Livorno, on the hills of the Val di Cornia. The village overlooks an area linking the Etruscan Coast with the Colline Metallifere, among rural landscapes, archaeological sites and old mining districts.
Distance from Golfo del Sole: about 25 km – 30 minutes by car
From Golfo del Sole Hotel & Holiday Resort you can reach Campiglia Marittima in about 30 minutes by car. The short distance means you can plan a visit without long journeys and return comfortably to Follonica in the afternoon or evening.
Its position also makes the village a good starting point for visiting other places in the Val di Cornia, such as Suvereto, Piombino, Populonia and Baratti Bay.
Photo: Stefano Benucci, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The best way to get to know Campiglia Marittima is to leave the car outside the historic core and continue on foot. The village climbs uphill, with paved streets, flights of steps and narrow passageways: there’s no need to follow a fixed route, but it helps to pick out a few main stops.
The Rocca occupies the highest point of the village and is one of the best viewpoints in Campiglia Marittima. The complex includes the keep, the old cistern, the remains of the lords’ residences and a crenellated wall from which you can look out over the Val di Cornia and the surrounding landscape.
Archaeological excavations have made it possible to reconstruct how the medieval settlement changed over time. The museum set up inside the keep holds finds linked to daily life and the military history of the fortress.
Reaching the Rocca involves a few uphill stretches, but the view is well worth the walk. On clear days you can see as far as the coast and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago.
The Palazzo Pretorio is one of the most recognisable buildings in the historic centre. For centuries it was the seat of political and administrative power, and its façade still bears the coats of arms of the families and officials who governed the area.
Today the palazzo hosts cultural activities and several collections, including the Museo Carlo Guarnieri and the Museo del Minerale, as well as the Historical Archive and the children’s library. Before your visit it’s advisable to check the opening times of each space, as they may vary during the year.
Just outside the walls stands the Pieve di San Giovanni, one of the most important religious buildings in Campiglia Marittima. Built in the Tuscan Romanesque style, the church has a simple, essential architecture and a peaceful setting next to the monumental cemetery.
It offers a different kind of visit from the buildings clustered in the historic centre and can be included at the beginning or end of your walk through the village.
Photo: LepoRello, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Church of San Lorenzo stands in the historic centre and holds works linked to local religious tradition. The rooms below house the Museum of Sacred Art, whose opening times should be checked before your visit.
The Teatro dei Concordi is a small Italian-style theatre built in the second half of the 19th century. The auditorium has three tiers of boxes and retains the atmosphere of intimate historic theatres.
It is not always open to visitors, but it’s worth checking the programme of performances and scheduled openings during your stay.
Photo: Stefano Benucci, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
An important part of the visit is simply wandering at a leisurely pace. The historic centre is made up of concentric streets, arches, stone passageways and small squares lined with houses, shops and bars.
It’s also worth taking time for the viewpoints. The hilltop position lets you look out over the Val di Cornia countryside, the coast and, on the clearest days, some of the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago.
The San Silvestro Archaeological Mining Park covers about 450 hectares behind Campiglia Marittima. It is one of the most interesting places in the area for understanding the relationship between mineral resources, human settlement and the transformation of the landscape.
The visit combines underground spaces, museums, mining installations, trails and archaeological remains. What you see may vary depending on the ticket you choose, the season and the activities available.
For this reason it’s important to check the official calendar and book before your visit, especially if you want to join the guided tours of the mines.
Photo: Etienne (Li), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The visit usually begins at the ticket office area, where the Museum of Archaeology and Minerals introduces the geology of the area and the history of mining.
This first stop helps you better understand what you’ll see later in the tunnels and mining installations. It is particularly useful for families and for those visiting a mining park for the first time.
The Temperino Mine takes you into the heart of the mountain with a guide. The underground route tells the story of how prospecting and extraction techniques evolved and shows the mineral deposits that made this area so important.
The necessary safety equipment is provided for the visit. Inside the mine it is cooler than outside, so it’s a good idea to bring a light layer even in summer.
The route is guided and must be followed according to the staff’s instructions. If you are visiting with small children, pushchairs, reduced mobility or particular needs, it’s best to ask the park for information before booking.
Photo: LepoRello, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Hermann Hammer (User:Haneburger), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
One of the most distinctive moments is the ride on the mine train through the Lanzi-Temperino Tunnel. The route follows the line once used to carry ore from the extraction areas to the processing plants.
The experience is interesting for adults and usually captivating for children, as it offers an immediate, hands-on view of the world of mining.
The Pozzo Earle area is home to the Museum of Mining Machinery and the Miners’ Museum. The displays illustrate the equipment used in the mines and the living and working conditions of the miners.
Not to be confused with the Rocca in Campiglia’s historic centre, Rocca San Silvestro is a fortified medieval village built to house the miners and smelters who worked the copper, lead and silver deposits.
The remains of the settlement stand in a commanding position within the park. Reaching them helps you understand how the whole community was organised around mining.
The visit to the Rocca takes longer and involves a walk. Before choosing it, consider the heat, the condition of the path and the fitness of those taking part.
The park’s route also includes the Fornelli di Monte Rombolo, large excavation sites with a distinctive inverted-cone shape. They are further evidence of the techniques used to extract and process the area’s mineral resources.
Whether you can visit them depends on the route you book and the park’s schedule.
Photo: Jalo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
To stroll around the historic centre, reach the Rocca and see the main buildings, about two or three hours is enough.
If you also want to visit the museums and indoor spaces, it’s best to allow half a day. To add the San Silvestro Archaeological Mining Park you’ll need a full day, especially if you choose a route that includes the mines, the train and Rocca San Silvestro.
With children, go for the park: the mine train and the Temperino mine are the outing they’ll talk about when they get home. Book the 10 o’clock tour, bring a sweatshirt (it’s cool in the tunnel) and save the village for the late afternoon, when the climb to the Rocca is in the shade.
Leaving Golfo del Sole in the morning, you can reach Campiglia Marittima and start with a walk through the historic centre. The cooler hours are the best for climbing up to the Rocca and taking in the view.
After visiting the village you can stop for lunch or head to the San Silvestro Archaeological Mining Park. Plan the day around your booked visit to the park, as mine entries and train departures follow set time slots.
If the full programme feels too demanding, it’s better to choose just the village or the park and give each experience the time it deserves.
Campiglia Marittima can be an interesting destination for families, especially when the village is combined with the mine train experience.
In the historic centre, however, you need to allow for climbs, steps and uneven paving. With small children, it’s advisable to use something easier to handle than a traditional pushchair and to plan a few stops.
In the park, not all routes are the same. The tunnels, the trails and the visit to Rocca San Silvestro have different requirements. Before buying tickets, it’s a good idea to mention the children’s ages and ask the staff which itinerary is most suitable.
Water, a hat and closed shoes are recommended, especially on hot days and for the outdoor routes.
The car is the most practical way to reach Campiglia Marittima from Follonica and then move on to the Archaeological Mining Park.
The historic centre has pedestrian areas and possible seasonal traffic restrictions. It’s therefore advisable to use the car parks outside the walls and continue on foot.
Rules on the ZTL (limited traffic zone) and parking may change during the year. Before setting off, it’s worth checking the road signs and the information published by the Municipality of Campiglia Marittima.
The Archaeological Mining Park has a separate entrance on the Strada Provinciale 20. The village and the park should not be thought of as a single area to explore on foot: to combine them on the same day you will normally need to move the car.
Campiglia Marittima can be visited all year round, but spring and early autumn generally offer the best conditions for strolling around the village and tackling the outdoor routes.
In summer it’s best to visit the historic centre in the morning or late afternoon, avoiding the hottest hours. In the evening the village can be a pleasant alternative to the coastal resorts, especially when events and late openings are scheduled.
The opening times of the Archaeological Mining Park change according to the season, and some routes are only available on certain days or at certain times. Online booking is recommended, and last entry may be well before closing time.
Before your visit, always check the official calendar, the latest prices and the features of the route you have chosen.
Suvereto is a medieval village surrounded by hills, vineyards and olive groves. It can be combined with Campiglia Marittima in a day devoted to the historic villages inland, although it’s best not to pack too many visits into the same itinerary.
Piombino offers a historic centre overlooking the sea, Piazza Bovio, museums and rocky coves. It’s a good stop for those who want to combine the inland areas with the coast.
Populonia and Baratti Bay let you continue your journey through the history of the area, moving from mining archaeology to Etruscan heritage and the coastal landscape.
Venturina Terme lies within the municipality of Campiglia Marittima and is known for its thermal waters. It can be an alternative for those who want to spend part of the day on wellbeing.
Yes, especially if you are looking for a destination that combines a medieval village with an experience different from the usual days at the beach.
The historic centre is compact, panoramic and easy to explore at a leisurely pace. The Archaeological Mining Park adds an unusual dimension, letting you discover the area through its mines, industrial archaeology and nature trails.
Campiglia Marittima is therefore ideal for lovers of history and old villages, for couples looking for a trip inland and for families interested in an educational and engaging activity.
Staying at Golfo del Sole makes it easy to alternate days on the beach with excursions into the Val di Cornia.
Campiglia Marittima is close enough for a half-day visit, but it has enough to offer for a full day of village, views and mining history. After the excursion you can return to the coast and end the day by the sea in Follonica.
To continue discovering the area, you can also read our guides to Piombino, Populonia, Baratti Bay and Parco della Sterpaia.
Request a quote and choose Golfo del Sole as your base for discovering the coast and villages of Tuscany.
At Golfo del Sole you can choose between the hotel rooms, the bungalows in the pine forest and the apartments, all just a stone’s throw from the private beach at Pratoranieri.
Campiglia Marittima is about 25 kilometres from Golfo del Sole and takes roughly 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic and the route you choose.
About two or three hours is enough to see the historic centre and reach the Rocca. With museums and stops, it’s best to allow at least half a day for the village.
Yes. However, you need to book your park route in advance and plan your visit to the village around the entry times.
Some routes, especially the mine train ride, can be very interesting for children. Minimum age, accessibility and features vary depending on the itinerary, so it’s best to check with the park before booking.
Closed shoes and comfortable clothing are recommended. Inside the tunnels it can be cooler than outside.
Via Don Sebastiano Leone, 65, Pratoranieri, Follonica (GR) Italy
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