Unknown Tuscany

Visiting Baratti with the archeological site of Populonia and the “Hanging Garden”

Tuscany, from sports to relax, arts, history and archeo sites, inevitably passing through enogastronomy, is a region able to satisfy many passions. It is perfect for singles, couples but also for families. One of the addresses to put on the agenda if you are traveling with your children is the Hanging Garden, an adventure park located in Riparbella (in the province of Pisa), a stone’s throw from the Etruscan Coast. Here you can also have a very exciting experience visiting the Gulf of Baratti and the etruscan necropoli of Populonia. Populonia stood on the Gulf of Baratti on the northern tip of the promontory of Piombino and is the only great Etruscan city really on the sea. The Villanovan necropolis of Podere Cerbone and Pian delle Granate indicate that the area was inhabited since the Iron Age.

The “Hanging Garden”

What does it offer? Once entered the entrance, guests are invited to experience exciting acrobatic trails on the trees between fixed and suspended platforms. The less brave, or the younger ones, can instead have fun in the Magic Forest of the Gnomes or still feel the perfect Robin Hood taking part in shooting lessons instinctive with the bow, a discipline with a curious name that allows you to combine business with pleasure, have fun and at the same time develop concentration, coordination but also creativity. The Hanging Garden Adventure Park is set among centuries-old oak trees in “Il Giardino” state forest at Riparbella (Pisa), where acrobatic courses through the treetops have been created and are open to all. There are 5 acrobatic courses – 2 for children over 110cm tall, and 3 for adults and youngsters over 140cm tall – consisting of a series of fixed and suspended platforms linked by crossings of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty.

The Gulf of Baratti and the Archaeological Park of Populonia

Stretching over 80 hectares between the slopes of the promontory of  Piombino and the Gulf of Baratti, it is presented as a real open-air museum, glittering with ferrous slag which show the impressiveness of the industrial Etruscan village. The Park includes a significant part of the ancient town of Populonia, a unique Etruscan settlement  built directly on the sea, with its necropolises, the calcarenite quarries and the industrial working quarters for iron coming from the hematite deposits on the Island of Elba. The park is spread over various areas of visit which enable the visitor to appreciate the transformation of the scenery over the centuries.