Cradle of the Etruscan civilization, the Val di Cornia is the ideal place to let yourself be conquered by the incredible charm of an ancient and mysterious people whose historical relevance is growing from discovery to discovery. A wonderful land that has guarded for millennia, hidden by the natural beauty of its parks and landscapes, the secrets of such a fascinating and evolved people. Immersed in this multi-faceted landscape, the parks and museums of the Val di Cornia present a rich and varied offer, a different way of experiencing culture.
The Val di Cornia constitutes the extreme southern edge of the province of Livorno, on the territory of the Piombinese Maremma; it extends in the area between the Maremma Livornese (historically Maremma Pisana) and the Maremma Grossetana near the mouth of the river of the same name.
The territory is predominantly hilly in the hinterland where it creeps towards the last south-western offshoots of the Metalliferous Hills and enters the southern part of the province of Pisa, skirting the Val di Cecina; on the other hand, it is flat along the coastal strip, with the exception of the promontory of Piombino which separates the city of the same name (which is the capital and seat of the District) from the Gulf of Baratti, on whose northern summit stands the medieval village of Populonia which developed at the pre-existing Etruscan city with its necropolis.
Along the coastal strip, the area includes the municipalities of Piombino and that of San Vincenzo, while in the hinterland it involves the municipalities of Campiglia Marittima, Suvereto, Sassetta, Monteverdi Marittimo. The area is characterized by archaeological areas from the Etruscan era, among which those of the Gulf of Baratti and Populonia stand out, and by the historical centers of the medieval era. Also noteworthy is the richness of the subsoil, exploited for the numerous mines since Etruscan times.