Populonia and the Gulf of Baratti

Populonia smelted iron ore shipped from Elba on an industrial scale, and the waste from the furnaces piled up over the necropolis below the town until the tombs were buried under metres of slag. The slag was quarried again in the twentieth century for its remaining iron content, and that work uncovered the monumental tombs, which had been protected rather than destroyed by their covering. Domed tumuli and small temple-shaped tombs now stand in a pine wood above a curved bay of clear water. The acropolis on the hill above holds the Roman-era town, and the medieval village and castle occupy the summit.

What you actually see

• The slag-buried tombs - a necropolis preserved under Etruscan iron waste.
• The domed tumuli - monumental tombs in a pine wood above the bay.
• The acropolis - Roman streets and temple foundations on the hill.
• The Gulf of Baratti - a curved bay with dark iron-bearing sand.

When to go

April to October; the park is open all year but hot and shadeless in parts in summer. The bay is busy in August. Allow half a day for park and acropolis.

Honest expectations

The park is spread across two areas with a walk or shuttle between them. Signage is uneven. The village above is small with limited parking in season.

Nearby

Piombino and the Elba ferry lie south; Bolgheri is north.