Follonica

12 Jan Follonica

Posted at 17:06h in Villages and towns by Staff

From iron city to beach resort

In the 6th century the major centre for the processing of the iron extracted on the Elba Island was the Gulf of Follonica, so that in 1546 the Apians decided to build here a foundry.
After 1836 the town became the primary iron-working headquarters, when Leopold II established the administrative center of the foundries in the area. The iron foundry closed in the 1960s and since then its strategic position have also produced a thriving tourist trade that make of Follonica one of the most popular seaside resorts in Tuscany.

Saint Leopold Church and the old foundry

Fine examples of cast iron can be seen around town as a result of religious architecture in cast iron. Look for intricate designs on the Saint Leopold Church and the former Ilva foundry, closed in 1963, today as part of Follonica cultural and seat of Maremma Cast Iron Art Museum.

Follonica civic art gallery

Follonica is an interesting art centre with the Civic Art Gallery “Amedeo Modigliani”, located on its lively seafront. The permanent collection contains more than 180 works by contemporary artists such as Pablo Picasso, Pietro Annigoni, Salvador Dalì.

How to get to Follonica

From SS1 Aurelia exit Follonica Est and follow the signs to the city center.

Activities and attractions in Follonica

Appointments and events in Follonica

april, 2026

May also be interested ...

Una piacevole vacanza a Castiglione della Pescaia Località turistica simbolo della Maremma toscana, pronta ad accogliere il visitatore per sorprenderlo con le sue bellezze e con la sua storia Ca...
Vacation in the tuff stone village in Pitigliano Take a few days of rest and come to discover Maremma. A vacation with the whole family on discovery of the tuff stone town, starting from Pitigliano. ...
Bike routes CALA VIOLINA TOUR Easy to Moderate Path – 45 Km - 4 hours max. The path provides breath-taking views and unique landscapes. This trail includes ...
Sorano Sorano: la Matera della Toscana Sorano si trova nella parte sud orientale della provincia Grossetana denominata Area del Tufo. Il piccolo borgo, ar...
Gorgona L’isola più piccola dell’arcipelago Toscano Nel mare di fronte a Livorno, a 37 Km dalla costa si trova l’isola di Gorgona, la più piccola e...
Follonica Da città del ferro a località balneare La lavorazione del ferro estratto all’Isola d’Elba era fiorente nel Golfo di Follonica già dal VI sec...
Several vacation days in borgo di Sorano In the heart of Maremma, Sorano awaits to give you a vacation of art, history and unique landscapes. Sorano The town carved from tuff stone Sup...
Museum of cast-iron art of Maremma Museum of cast-iron art of Maremma The museum, located in the rooms of the San Ferdinando foundry, was born from an intention of recounting the...