Porto Santo Stefano

Porto Santo Stefano is located in the municipality of Monte Argentario, in the Province of Grosseto, in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is one of the 2 major towns that form the townships along with Porto Ercole.

Geography

Position

The resort is located on the north-western promontory of Argentario, a little more than 40 km south-east of Grosseto, about 10 km south-west of Orbetello and about 12 from Porto Ercole.

Suddivision

The town is divided into 4 historical districts, all with their own banner.

The Cross, whose nobles are called crociaioli, coat of arms depicts a gray seagull on a red background and at the bottom the red cross of St. Andrew on a white background

The Fortress, whose nobles are called fortezzaioli; coat of arms depicts a Spanish fortress in gold on a red background on the left, and a golden horse to the right on an amaranth background.

The Pilarella, whose nobles are called pilarellai; coat of arms depicts a golden vase in a red background on the left, and a light gray dolphin on the right on a blue background.

The Valley, whose nobles are called vallaioli; coat of arms depict an axe and the lighthouse.

History

Because of the increased exposure to pirate raids, the center had low priority during the rule of Aldobrandeschi and of the Republic of Siena, but with its entry into the State of Presidi in the mid-16th century, the town became a center of great importance in Argentario. It was during this the construction of the Spanish...
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