Pereta

Perched on a hill overlooking the Maremma countryside, the village of Pereta is a medieval gem nestled between Magliano in Toscana and Scansano, right in the heart of the Morellino di Scansano D.O.C.G. production area. The name of the village seems to derive from the cultivation of pears that was once widespread in the surrounding area, but its history has much more ancient roots, as shown by finds from Etruscan-Roman times that attest to the importance of this place even in ancient times.

The entrance to Pereta is through the striking Porta di Ponente, a crenellated gate from the late medieval period that immediately introduces the visitor to an atmosphere of times gone by. Built by the Aldobrandeschi between the 10th and 11th centuries, the village played a strategic role as a military center, controlling an important passage that joined the coast to the inland mountains. In 1238 it came under Sienese rule, a period during which significant architectural works were built, including the majestic Clock Tower.

The village walls and gates

The borough is divided into two distinct cores: the older, elliptical-shaped part is surrounded by well-preserved walls culminating in the Clock Tower. These walls, interspersed with towers and leaning houses that form a compact curtain, still tell the story of the village's defensive function. The Porta di Ponente, restored in the 19th century and transformed into an elegant triumphal arch, is the only original access that has remained intact.

The Clock Tower: symbol of Pereta

At 29 meters high, the Clock Tower dominates the outline of the village and testifies to the medieval power of the Aldobrandeschi family. Built at the end of the 14th century as an integral part of the castle, the tower has a slender, soaring form that rises above the rooftops of the village, giving it a unique character. Even today, it is still the undisputed symbol of Pereta, admired by visitors and photographers.

Churches and religious architecture

The village holds valuable examples of sacred architecture. The Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the 15th century, is a building of understated elegance, with a simple façade that encloses an intimate setting full of spirituality. The Church of St. John the Baptist, on the other hand, has interiors that have undergone Baroque-style interventions over time, providing a fascinating contrast to the medieval appearance of the village. Not far away is the Chapel of St. Joseph, erected in 1876: a testimony to popular devotion that completes Pereta's religious itinerary.

Walking through the village

Beyond the gate, Pereta reveals itself with a maze of uphill alleys, cobblestone streets and picturesque views. The stone buildings, adorned with geraniums in the windows, create an atmosphere of yesteryear. Strolling around, every corner offers a surprise: small squares, medieval arches and breathtaking views of the Maremma countryside stretching to the sea and Mount Argentario.

Nearby: the Ruins of San Bruzio

About ten kilometers from Pereta are the fascinating Ruins of the Monastery of San Bruzio, a small Romanesque church dating back to the year 1000. Although reduced to ruins, it preserves the presbytery, the apse, the transept and the base of an octagonal dome: elements that make it a place of mysterious charm, surrounded by legends that tell of apparitions of Destiny only to pure souls.

Etruscan-Roman evidence and minerals

Pereta also holds archaeological finds from Etruscan-Roman times and mineral outcrops of cinnabar, a mineral once used for mercury extraction. Two rare minerals were discovered in the 1980s: peretaite, named after this village, and coquandite, confirming the geological uniqueness of the area.

In short, Pereta is a village that enchants with its authenticity, historical richness, architectural beauty and traditional flavors. A corner of Maremma that offers an immersive experience between the Middle Ages, nature and culture, perfect for those seeking a journey out of time.