Follonica is a small Tuscan town, a famous tourist destination, much appreciated for its fine sandy beaches and the beautiful sea that slopes gently. It is located in the center of the gulf of the same name, between the promontory of Piombino, to the north, and Punta Ala, to the south. In front of the city, across the sea, you can clearly see the Island of Elba. Thanks to its central position and its popularity, Follonica has been given the nickname “the pearl of the gulf“, with which it is often identified.
History of Follonica
Etruscian
Follonica is a place known even before the great recent tourist development. In fact, since ancient times it was a famous center for the processing of iron and cast iron.
Traces of iron and steel activities in the area date back to the time of the ancient Etruscans. In fact, several settlements of this people, both civil and industrial, have been found within the Municipality. Among all of them, we point out the one in the Rondelli area, with an estimated dating between the 6th and 5th centuries BC. The discovery occurred during excavations for the construction of a shopping center in 1997. The Etruscan smelting furnaces found and best preserved are still visible today inside a protective case right in front of the entrance to the supermarket.
The Grand Duchy of Tuscany
It was then in the early 1800s, during the Grand Duchy of Leopold II of Tuscany, that Follonica had its greatest iron and steel development. It became an important industrial hub, specialized above all in the production of cast iron. Splendid testimonies of this workmanship can be found in the city both at the entrance to the Church of S. Leopoldo, with its large colonnades, and in the imposing gate that served as the entrance to the old iron and steel area. The latter is the characteristic monument of the city, with which it is often identified. But the cast iron of the Follonica foundries has not only embellished its own city. Monuments and decorations present in other Italian cities were also produced in the Follonica factories. Among these we can mention Florence, with the balustrade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Dome of Florence) and the fence of Piazzale Michelangelo.
Follonica today
The park of “Ex Ilva”
In recent times, the area of ??the now decommissioned steelworks, called “Ex Ilva”, has become a natural park, while the large industrial buildings inside it have been redeveloped into important cultural activities for the city, such as libraries, theaters and museums.
For more information on the city’s steelmaking history, we recommend visiting the modern and interactive Magma Museum, located right inside the park (more info on the website of Magma Museum).
Building boom in Follonica
Since the economic development of the post-war period, Follonica has increasingly become an important and modern seaside resort. The city has had a strong and rapid building development, especially in the central area, with the construction of imposing buildings close to the sea, which have caused discussions that are still very heated today between those who appreciate and those who do not appreciate this type of construction. Among these, the famous “lightblue tower” is certainly worth mentioning, which with its 22 floors and 73 meters of height is the second tallest civil building in Tuscany and stands out like a true skyscraper over the entire city.
Services in Follonica
The economy of Follonica is currently based mainly on tourism and small and medium-sized businesses, mainly operating in the service industry. The great development of summer holidays in recent years has meant that Follonica has increasingly become a “tourist-friendly” city, offering services aimed primarily at satisfying the needs of quiet family tourism. In fact, there are numerous playgrounds for children and hectares of pine forest where you can find refreshment during the hottest summer hours, as well as services such as restaurants, pizzerias, bars, ice cream parlors, beach resorts and shops of all kinds. There are also two small tourist ports within the municipality, beaches dedicated to bathers with dogs and sailing enthusiasts. There are also numerous sports facilities for activities such as volleyball, padel, basketball, hockey, tennis, skating, minigolf, football and horse riding.
Also noteworthy is the water amusement park Acqua Village, an attraction for families during the day and for young people in the evening, when it transforms into a particular open-air disco (Disco Village and Baluba) with dance floors at the edge of the illuminated swimming pools.
The city’s waterfront
The city of Follonica is also characterized by its beautiful pedestrian promenade (Viale Italia), which together with the pedestrian part of Via Roma, the central street of the city, creates over 3 kilometers of traffic-free zone. These two perpendicular streets, especially on beautiful winter days and summer evenings, are a meeting place and a place to walk for residents and tourists.
Events in Follonica
Among the many events that take place in this city every year, the following are certainly worth mentioning:
- Follonica Carnival with its parades of masks and allegorical floats (more info in this article: articolo sul Carnevale di Follonica);
- the food and wine event “Piazze d’Europa” with the city centre and the seafront filled with stalls with food and products from all over the world;
- the music festival “Follonica Summer Festival” which is held in August and welcomes important artists from the Italian music scene (for more information, artists involved and dates visit the website of Follonica Summer Festival);
- the Ferragosto fireworks, with a top-level pyrotechnic show that takes place every year on the evening of August 14th on the seafront. All the info in this article: Fireworks in Follonica
- the historical parade with 19th century costumes which recalls the visit of Grand Duke Leopold II of Lorraine to the city and which is held on one of the central Sundays of the month of May.
Curiosities about Follonica
The name of the city is closely linked to its important past as a foundry. Follonica in fact originates from the word “fulloni“, a term that identifies the ancient bellows used to blow air into the smelting furnaces.
Follonica has approximately 23,000 residents who live in the city all year round, while it is estimated that during the summer months it hosts an incredible number of over 120,000 people at the same time.
In 2007, the Follonica roller hockey team was the first team in Italy to win the Intercontinental Cup, thus winning the title of the strongest club in the world that year.
Follonica is the hometown of Vanessa Incontrada, a famous Italian actress and TV personality, who can easily be met around the city or in her father’s store “Incontrada per Voi” placed in Viale Italia.
The Palagolfo, Follonica’s sports hall, is very often the training venue for the Italian National Rhythmic Gymnastics team. The “silver butterflies” also hold open-door training sessions and exhibitions here in preparation for the most important competitions such as the World Championships and the Olympics.
The “former fishermen’s shacks”. Follonica is one of the very few cities in Italy to have these particular little houses directly on the beach, overlooking the sea, in parts of its seafront. Historically used by fishermen as a home, they have now been transformed into splendid houses that can be rented during summertime.
For 30 consecutive years Follonica won the European Blue Flag. Recognition given to seaside resorts that stand out for the quality of their waters, the quality of their coast, services and safety measures, and environmental education.
Visit Follonica
After reading this article it’s time to visit the city in person! Discover where to park in Follonica for free, forget about the car and enjoy a walk along the seafront of the pearl of the gulf!
Looking for real estate deals in Follonica? On our site you will find all the best offers of apartments for sale in Follonica!
