Between Piombino and San Vincenzo, it’s almost obligatory to stop at Baratti. From the pine forest to the meadow, to the beach that turns into the sea, it’s impossible to resist the temptation to take a dip and get a bit of a suntan in the gulf that was formerly the preferred destination of the Etruscans. Clear sea, a coarse sandy beach that is tinged with reflections among the blue and silver along some stretches and the hill upon which the Castello di Populonia stands out right in front of the water’s edge are the strengths of this small locality on the coast, which also boasts a vast pine forest and a well-maintained, large green meadow to take a break from the sun. The beauty of the Baratti Gulf after all had already been discovered in the past by the Etruscan people, which left visible traces on its landscape. A unique Etruscan town by the sea, Baratti was devoted to the smelting of material that came from Elba. Here in fact the Etruscans used the furnaces of the time to extract the iron that was then used to make arms. Due to its position, Baratti was also an important Etruscan commercial centre. For those who wish to add an historical and cultural excursion to their time at the sea, it is possible to visit the Baratti archaeological park. Situated among the slopes of the Piombino promontory and the gulf, the park covers approximately 80 hectares and includes a considerable part of the ancient Etruscan town, with its necropoli, the caves for the building material and the industrial areas for the iron processing. Finally, another way to appreciate Baratti is to follow the panoramic road that runs all around the gulf and overlooks the sea, apart from some stretches which are separated by a beautiful, dense pine forest.(Portions of this article first appeared in "Toscana & Chianti News")
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