Baratti (town)

Baratti is part of the comune of Piombino in the Livorno province, with roughly only 40 residents.

History

Just like Populonia, Baratti has Etruscan origins, which is confirmed by various burial mounds found around the area, reflecting the colonization of this civilization. The main activity pursued here during the Etruscan period and then the Roman Empire, was centered around the port of Populonia which mainly dealt with goods such as iron ore from the nearby Island of Elba and finished metal products found in the local area. The accumulation of debris of iron covered the entire area of Baratti overlooking the sea, allowing a rare insight into the archaeological heritage. The first archaeological expeditions allowed the discovery of an impressive heritage which was preserved in the area. In 1968 a 6th century silver vase or anfora from Antioch and lost in a shipwreck was found off of the gulf. This was later renamed as "Anfora Baratti" [1] and has been preserved in the Archaeological Museum of the territory of Populonia in Piombino.

Geography

Gulf of Baretti

This Little Bay sits between the Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north of the peninsula, which forms much of the town of Piombino. The basin lies between the promontory of Populonia and Torraccia, which is part of the municipality of San Vincenzo.

Location

Baratti stands on the Tyrrhenian coast, at the foot of Populonia, which is 1.5 km away, 12 km from Piombino, 15 from San Vincenzo and about 80 km’s from Livorno in the north and Grosseto in the south.

Places of Interest

Its location is quite receptive to the tourist in search of a coastal retreat. Baratti is included in the Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia and one of the largest parks in the Val di Cornia. The influx of the archeological tourist is secured not only by the presence of the Etruscan ruins, but also with the proximity of Populonia and its necropolis, which is reachable by road that passes by Baratti.

At the port stands the fifteenth century Baratti Tower, while further north along the bay we find the chapel of San Cerbone.

Nearby lies the saldarini house which is a remarkable testimony of contemporary architectureduring the 1960’s in Italy.

Bibliography

• Andrea Semplici: "Parco Archeologico di Baratti e Populonia. Percorsi di visita per conoscere un territorio". – Edizioni Polistampa – Firenze, 2000

Related links

Piombino Populonia Vignale-Riotorto Fiorentina

Anfora di Baratti Porto di Baratti Necropoli di Populonia Parco archeologico di Baratti e Populonia

External links

• Comune di Piombino
• Parchi della Val di Cornia
• Tourism in Baratti