Country Italy Comune Monte Argentario Demonym(s) Portercolesi Population 2,810 (2001) Local time Friday 6:15 PM Dialling code 0564 | Region Tuscany Elevation 5 m (16 ft) Time zone CET (UTC+1) Province Province of Grosseto Postal code 58018 | |
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Weather 18°C, Wind NE at 2 km/h, 58% Humidity | ||
Porto ercole best places in tuscany holiday rentals
Porto Ercole ([ˈpɔrto ˈɛrkole]) is an Italian town located in the municipality of Monte Argentario, in the Province of Grosseto, Tuscany. It is one of the two major towns that form the township, along with Porto Santo Stefano. Its name means "Port Hercules".
Contents
- Porto ercole best places in tuscany holiday rentals
- Map of Porto Ercole Province of Grosseto Italy
- Porto ercole the island of giglio
- Geography
- History
- Transportation
- Twin towns
- References
Map of Porto Ercole, Province of Grosseto, Italy
Porto ercole the island of giglio
Geography
The resort is located on the eastern side of Monte Argentario promontory, and is 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Grosseto, 7 km (4.3 mi) from Orbetello and about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Porto Santo Stefano. To the north of Porto Ercole are located the Laguna di Orbetello and the Tombolo della Feniglia.
History
Porto Ercole was first mentioned in 1296, when Margherita Aldobrandeschi, countess of Savona, ordered the construction of a tower named Torre di Terra, the oldest core of the town.
In 1610, the Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio, exiled by the Pope, died in Porto Ercole on his way back to Rome and was buried in a local church. The Dutch Royal Family maintained a summer residence here in the latter half of the twentieth century.
Transportation
Porto Ercole was once connected by rail to Orbetello via a small rail line to Porto Santo Stefano, closed in 1944. The former station, named Porto Ercole-Terrarossa, was located 4 km from the town, in the hamlet of Terrarossa.
It counts two harbours: Porto Vecchio, the old town's port, and Cala Galera, located in a northern bay.