Hello, everyone, and welcome back to our blog. We’ve decided to start our journey with one of the places that has remained close to our hearts, Lago dell’Accesa.
It’s a lake of approximately fourteen hectares located in the municipality of Massa Marittima (GR), which is just under an hour away from our glamping site, Le Dune. It’s a relatively unknown and underrated place among the locals, some even discouraged us from visiting, claiming it wasn’t worth it. Perhaps it’s because it has only been revitalized and turned into the enchanting place it is today in recent years, or maybe it’s because, for the residents of Cinigiano, it’s simply the place where the “mago dell’Accesa” (the magician of Accesa) lives. We’ve heard many stories from the town’s elders about this mysterious figure who lived on a hill overlooking the lake. People would go to him for answers about their future, and apparently, his predictions came true. Today, the magician is no longer there, but it’s said that you can meet his son, who followed in his father’s footsteps.
Aside from this air of mystery that hangs over this place, there are various legends that suggest the lake didn’t always exist but was the result of the gods’ wrath, who unleashed a fierce downpour on the village that once stood in place of the body of water that was completely submerged. The culprits behind this fury were poor farmers who, due to their enthusiasm for a bountiful wheat harvest, didn’t take a customary break on the day of Saint Anne and were thus swallowed up by the water along with their homes. ven today, it is said that on July 26, the feast day of Saint Anne, you can hear cries and the sound of horse hooves coming from the lake.
Legends aside, we highly recommend this place for its natural beauty, white sand, and crystal-clear waters that make it resemble the Caribbean seas. Here, the reflections of the sun on the lake’s surface and the surrounding countryside create a magical atmosphere. From the parking area, it’s just a short walk to reach the first pier, but we suggest taking a lakeside walk for about ten minutes to reach the most picturesque spot, where you can relax with your towels on the grass under lush trees and comfortably enter the water via a small, fine white sand beach.
At the beginning of the trail, you’ll find a kiosk called “MeloSgrano,” a street food service offering only locally sourced products from sustainable, organic, and socially responsible agriculture. The products are excellent, and the raw materials are of high quality. Their commitment to the environment and the lake is evident as they offer a complimentary drink to those who bring a bag full of litter collected along the lake using the special tongs they provide (this year, they will organize several events, so we recommend following their Instagram page to stay updated).
Once you’ve finished your experience at the lake, we recommend visiting Massa Marittima (8.8 km) or Follonica (17.3 km) for a nice aperitif.
If you’re looking for a place to relax and rejuvenate away from the chaotic city noises, surrounded by unspoiled nature, this is the place for you.
See you in the next article for the next stop on this journey of discovering Maremma. We look forward to having you here with us at Le Dune.
