Porto Ercole

The small gem of a city Porto Ercole is anchored in Monte Argentario peninsula and enveloped by a blanket of beautiful sand and rock beaches. Porto Ercole is a perfect getaway spot for those interested in traveling to nearby towns and historic sites for touring or art visits. From here, Siena, Tarquinia, San Gimignano (to name only a few of Porto Ercole's neighbors) lie nearby. The highlights contained inside the town walls include the 16th century Palazzo Consani, located in Piazza Santa Barbara, and the old parish church of San Erasmo, which continues to offer sacred protection to sailors. The whole city is dominated by a fortress (la Rocca), which looms over the port and bay and which was architecturally designed by Giovanni Camerini. Two other forts erected in Porto Ercole are Fort Stella and Fort Filippo. Fort Stella dominates a large area located at the back of the port, and is named for its geometrical form of a star (which houses a hexagonal interior courtyard). Fort Filippo is a formidable structure originally built with the best military architecture of its time.