Follonica

12 Jan Follonica

Posted at 17:06h in Villages and towns by Staff

From iron city to beach resort

In the 6th century the major centre for the processing of the iron extracted on the Elba Island was the Gulf of Follonica, so that in 1546 the Apians decided to build here a foundry.
After 1836 the town became the primary iron-working headquarters, when Leopold II established the administrative center of the foundries in the area. The iron foundry closed in the 1960s and since then its strategic position have also produced a thriving tourist trade that make of Follonica one of the most popular seaside resorts in Tuscany.

Saint Leopold Church and the old foundry

Fine examples of cast iron can be seen around town as a result of religious architecture in cast iron. Look for intricate designs on the Saint Leopold Church and the former Ilva foundry, closed in 1963, today as part of Follonica cultural and seat of Maremma Cast Iron Art Museum.

Follonica civic art gallery

Follonica is an interesting art centre with the Civic Art Gallery “Amedeo Modigliani”, located on its lively seafront. The permanent collection contains more than 180 works by contemporary artists such as Pablo Picasso, Pietro Annigoni, Salvador Dalì.

How to get to Follonica

From SS1 Aurelia exit Follonica Est and follow the signs to the city center.

Activities and attractions in Follonica

Appointments and events in Follonica

may, 2026

May also be interested ...

Più tutele per Montecristo: siglato il protocollo Un Protocollo d’intesa tra l’Ente Parco nazionale dell'Arcipelago toscano e il Corpo Forestale dello Stato per la difesa delle acque della riserv...
Archeological Museum Ex-Polveriera Guzman From Spanish poder keg to museum Along the walls of Levante of the historic center of Orbetello this splendid example of Spanish military architectur...
Pitigliano Die Stadt aus Tuffstein Die erste von drei Städten aus Tuffstein (neben Sorano und Sovana) ist Pitigliano, ein Spektakel für die Augen: Es sch...
Xpress Open Air Xpress Open Air is the activity to do outdoors to stay in shape and increase your well-being. Its benefits make the body more beautiful and in har...
Venturina Thermal Baths The most important thermal center of Val di Cornia In the heart of the Alta Livorno Maremma, in Val di Cornia, just a few minutes from the coas...
Active holiday with soft rafting For sports lovers even on holiday, to experience intense emotions, full of adrenaline, try the descent of the Ombrone river aboard a rubber dinghy, th...
Escursioni in canoa DI SEGUITO L’ELENCO DEI PRINCIPALI ITINERARI DELLA MAREMMA Orbetello, Grosseto, Parco della Maremma: Terramare Alberese, Parco della Maremma: Ma...
Scansano Scansano vino ma non solo Il piccolo borgo di Scansano sorge su un’altura a nord delle colline dell’Albegna e del Fiora in una zona ric...