Semproniano is a small town with only just over a thousand inhabitants in the southeastern part of the province of Grosseto. It has been an official municipality only since 1963. Like most of the smaller cities in the area, the average age of the population is very high. The Pieve dei Santi Vicenzo and Anastasio is the main attraction.
Semproniano travel guide
Useful information
Tourist information: The town has a Pro Loco information center in the Piazza del Popolo, 15 (tel: +39 0564 987164).
Town hall: The address of the town hall is Via Roma, 35/39 – 58055 Semproniano. Telephone: +39 0564 965391.
Railway station: There is no train station in Semproniano. There is an extremely infrequent bus service from Grosseto. On Sundays there is nothing at all.
Tourist attractions, what to see and do
Semproniano
The historic center still lies at the foot of the ruins of Aldobrandeschi Castle. The city walls have survived in better shape and have sometimes been incorporated in people’s houses. The Chiesa della Santa Croce dates back to the 12th century. Other churches include the San Rocco Oratory and the 13th century Pieve dei Santi Vincenzo and Anastasio. The Museo Mineralogico is a small three room museum and consists of over 300 individual pieces, the majority of which local or national, although some stones are from other parts of the world.
Rochette di Fazio
The Romanesque style former Pieve di Santa Cristina Church in the suburb of Rocchette di Fazio used to be run by the Order of the Templars, but is now private property. The hamlet used to have its own Rocca Aldobrandescha, but only one tower is still intact. Its ruins have mostly been used to build other constructions. The 13th century city walls of Rocchette di Fazio were constructed in order to strengthen the defense of the castle. The 14th century Palazzo dell’Ospedaletto used to belong to the Templar Order before this was dissolved.
Catabbio
The suburb of Catabbio is located south of Semproniano itself. The church of Sant’Anna was built in 1972. What is now known under the name Castle of Cantabbio, started its existence as a fortress. In the course of the centuries, it was first transformed into a villa, then a summer residence and, finally, a farm.
Cellena
The Villa di Corte Vecchia is located just outside the suburb of Cellena. Emperor Frederick II’s troops used the site as a home base in the 13th century.
Olivone di Fibbianello
The Olivone di Fibbianello is a tall olive tree along the road to Saturnia. It is 2,000 years old and was 21 meters tall, till delinquents managed to set fire to it.
A brief history of Semproniano
Although the town is first mentioned in the 9th century, the name suggests that there used to be a Roman settlement.
The first time Semproniano (then Samprugnano) is mentioned is in a document from 849. At that time it was owned by the Santa Fiora branch of the Aldobrandeschi family.
In the 13th century the town was in the sphere of influence of Orvieto. In the following century it came into conflict with Siena and in 1410 it was destroyed by that city’s troops.
In 1536 Semproniano was destroyed again, this time by the Spaniards.
After this, the town definitively became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Events and festivals
Except for January 21 (the holiday dedicated to the patron saints Vincenzo and Anastasio), there are no events or festivals worth mentioning in the municipality.
How to get to Semproniano by car
The provincial roads SP10 and the SP155 run through Semproniano. From Grosseto drive first towards Arcille. From here follow the SP24 to Triana, where you turn south (SP10).
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