Porto Ercole (Grosseto, Tuscany)

Porto Ercole is a charming seaside resort situated on the promontori of the Argentario (Grosseto). The first inhabitants of Porto Ercole were fishermen and you can still see them repairing fishing nets. The heart of the town is collected inside the walls at the feet of the Spanish fortress. There are streets, squares that overlook the sea and steps that will lead you to the church and to the Spanish Rocca. The town has developed along the natural bay that forms the port: here you can instead take a walk along the seafront, where you can find bars and restaurants with terraces on the sea and shops. At the end of the promenade you can still observe the sites dedicated to the repair work on boats, and landing of fish from fishing vessels in return. The charm of Porto Ercole derives also from the impressive Spanish forts that were built in the sixteenth century. A curiosity to conclude: Michelangelo Merisi (Caravaggio) died in Porto Ercole in July 1610, in still mysterious circumstances.