Orbetello is a town and comune in the province of Grosseto (Tuscany), Italy. It is located about 35 kilometres (22 mi) south of Grosseto, on the eponymous lagoon, which is home to an important Natural Reserve.
Orbetello | |
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Comune | |
Comune di Orbetello | |
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Location of Orbetello | |
Orbetello Location of Orbetello in Italy Show map of ItalyOrbetello Orbetello (Tuscany) Show map of Tuscany | |
Coordinates: 42°26′34″N 11°13′29″E | |
Country | Italy |
Region | Tuscany |
Province | Grosseto (GR) |
Frazioni | Albinia, Ansedonia, Fonteblanda, Giannella, San Donato, Talamone |
Government | |
• Mayor | Andrea Casamenti |
Area | |
• Total | 226.8 km2 (87.6 sq mi) |
Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) |
Population (31 December 2017)[2] | |
• Total | 14,744 |
• Density | 65/km2 (170/sq mi) |
Demonym | Orbetellani |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 58010, 58015 |
Dialing code | 0564 |
Patron saint | Saint Blaise |
Saint day | February 3 |
Website | Official website |
Orbetello was an ancient Etruscan settlement, which in 280 BC passed under the control of the Romans, who had founded their colony of Cosa (near the modern Ansedonia).
The emperor Domitian had a substantial property here, which had belonged to the Domitii Ahenobarbi and he inherited through his wife Domitia Longina. He also built other sumptuous villas nearby for his courtiers.[3]
In the Middle Ages it was a possession of the Aldobrandeschi family, who held it until the 14th century, when it was acquired by the city of Orvieto. After several struggles with the Orsini of Pitigliano and Orvieto, in the following centuries Orbetello was captured by the Sienese Republic. In the mid-16th century it was part of the State of Presides, a Spanish possession, becoming its capital.
The town was besieged by the French during the 1635-1659 Franco-Spanish War. This led to the inconclusive naval Battle of Orbetello on 14 June; in July, a Spanish army forced the French to lift the siege.[4]
It formed part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany until 1860, when it joined the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.
In 1927–33, Italo Balbo's "air cruises" started from Orbetello's lagoon. During World War II, the German Air Force's 2nd Squadron of Embarked Air Group 196 used the lagoon as a base for its Arado Ar 196 float planes for a brief period in 1943.[5]
The municipality is formed by the municipal seat of Orbetello and the towns and villages (frazioni) of Albinia, Ansedonia, Fonteblanda, Giannella, San Donato and Talamone.
Mayor | Term start | Term end | Party |
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Tobia Savelli | 1962 | 1972 | Italian Communist Party |
Piero Vongher | 1972 | 1984 | Italian Communist Party |
Daniele Fortini | 1984 | 1987 | Italian Communist Party |
Floriana Scialanca | 1987 | 1989 | Italian Communist Party |
Alessandro Fommei | 1989 | 1992 | Italian Republican Party |
Fidenzio Belmonti | 1992 | 1993 | Italian Socialist Party |
Adalberto Minucci | 1993 | 1997 | Democratic Party of the Left |
Rolando Di Vincenzo | 1997 | 2006 | National Alliance |
Altero Matteoli | 2006 | 2011 | National Alliance/The People of Freedom |
Monica Paffetti | 2011 | 2016 | Independent (centre-left) |
Andrea Casamenti | 2016 | Incumbent | Independent (centre-right) |
Media related to Orbetello at Wikimedia Commons
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