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The Tuscan Maremma, with its rolling hills, ancient olive groves, and untamed beauty, has long stood as a symbol of Italy’s most enchanting landscapes. It is a place where history, nature, and tradition converge—where Etruscan ruins lie hidden in oak forests and the golden light paints vineyards that yield some of the most promising wines of central Italy. But today, this unique region faces an irreversible transformation—one not driven by the slow hand of time, but by the towering shadows of industrial wind turbines.
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The location of the wind turbines in L'Abbandonato, between Stribugliano and Cinigiano) [0]
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Under the banner of green energy, massive wind farms are being proposed—and in some cases, already erected—in parts of the Maremma that were once deemed untouchable. While the transition to renewable energy is urgent and necessary, the placement of these giant structures in such a fragile and culturally rich landscape raises serious concerns. These turbines, often over 150 meters tall, do not simply "blend in." They dominate. For comparison, the height of the Torre del Mangia in Siena is 87 to 88 meters. Wind turbines puncture the skyline. And with their constant motion and mechanical presence, they erode the very atmosphere that defines the soul of the Maremma.
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This is the mystical landscape that the Region of Tuscany wants to destroy with a wind farm...
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This is not just about aesthetics. The introduction of large-scale wind farms threatens to destroy future opportunities for sustainable agriculture and viticulture. The Maremma is experiencing a quiet renaissance as a wine-producing region, with a unique terroir still being explored. Vineyards here are not industrial zones—they are small, biodiverse ecosystems, shaped by centuries of experience and respect for the land. Wind turbines, with their need for deep concrete foundations, wide service roads, and constant maintenance, can fragment and disrupt these landscapes, making future planting—and the delicate balance of microclimates essential for fine wine—impossible.
The proposed construction of wind farms also risks damaging priority grassland habitats and endangering rare raptor species, as well as the vital habitat of underground bat colonies in the nearby Nature Reserves of Poggio all'Olmo, Monte Labbro and Riserva naturale Bosco dei Rocconi. The fauna is very rich, starting with birds of prey such as the peregrine falcon, the short-toed eagle and, until a few years ago, the rare lanner falcon, which continues to frequent the area and, we hope, will return to nest. Also of great ornithological interest are the dipper, the blue rock thrush and the wallcreeper, which frequents the most vertical walls of the nature reserves.
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Moreover, there is something intangible but vital at risk: the magic. The Maremma has always been a place of silence, wind, and wildness. It is not just scenic—it is sacred, in the way that old places untouched by haste or profit often are. To scar it with industrial infrastructure is not just a planning failure; it is a cultural loss.
Yes, we must embrace renewable energy. But not at any cost. Not at the cost of Tuscany's last wild frontier. Not when other solutions—such as solar panels on already-developed land or offshore wind—can meet our energy goals without erasing our heritage.
Once these turbines rise, the damage is done. The land does not return to what it was. And a landscape that has survived centuries of change may finally succumb—not to war or neglect—but to the very efforts meant to save it.
L'Abbandonato
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The Tuscan Maremma, L'Abbandonato... This is the mystical landscape that the Gruppo Visconti and eventually Region of Tuscany wants to destroy with a wind farm... thereby demonstrating that it fails to realise that the landscape is also an important part of its cultural heritage.
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Stribugliano is also a beautiful take-off point opposite Monte Buceto for hang gliding and paragliding.
Paragliding sites in Italy - Stribugliano | MAP
Informazion weather forecast, wind directions, wind speed | www.paraglidingmap.com
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| Deltaplano e il parapendio (1) |
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Deltaplano e il parapendio a Monte Buceto, Stribugliano (Tuscany)(2)
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Nature Reserves
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Viticulture is crucial in the affected area. Major wine producers have chosen this valley to produce exceptional wines, also focusing on organic and biodynamic viticulture. Furthermore, there is an economy based on the quality of the landscape and environment, nestled in a context of agricultural and forest landscapes of great historical and naturalistic value, frequented by hikers, cyclists, and visitors to Tuscan Maremma and Monte Amiata.
The L’Abbandonate Valley is also surrounded by three nature reserves, Poggio all'Olmo Nature Reserve, Monte Labbro Nature Reserve and Riserva naturale Bosco dei Rocconi, which together form a nearly contiguous natural area of exceptional importance. Here, rare birds of prey such as the lanner falcon, golden eagle, and short-toed eagle have re-nestled, large colonies of bats have established themselves underground, and wolves have also been sighted repeatedly in the area.
This fragile, biodiverse environment is now at risk.
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Pecchiaiolo in volo, visto dal basso. Il pecchiaiolo occidentale (Pernis apivorus (Linnaeus, 1758)
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Circaetus gallicus (Gmelin, 1788)
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Lanner Falcon, Falco biarmicus [3] |
| Poggio all'Olmo Nature Reserve |
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This nature reserve is divided between Cinigiano and nearby Arcidosso and covers 434 hectares. |
| Monte Labbro Nature Reserve |
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Monte Labbro (or Labro) is found on the south-west side of Monte Amiata and the Nature Reserve stretches for over 650 hectares in the municipality of Arcidosso, between the Zancona stream and its tributary of the left Onazio moat to the north, and the Albegna river to the south. |
Riserva naturale Bosco dei Rocconi
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The Bosco dei Rocconi Nature Reserve is easily one of the most beautiful and diverse parks in Tuscany. Half of it (130ha) is owned by the WWF. The nature park stretches across the banks of the Albegna River, its territory is wild and ruggard, punctuated by deep gorges and several caves. The Rocconi Provincial Nature Reserve is included in the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA) of “Monte Labbro and Alta valle dell'Albegna”. |
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Official announcemnt | https://va.mite.gov.it/it-IT
ONSHORE WIND | Tuscany wind attack highlights Italian resistance
Italian resistance highlights growing resistance to wind farms in the Italian countryside despite government growth plans.
NO to ON SHORE Wind Farms in Magliano in Toscana
Gambero Rosso | We don’t want a wind farm in the middle of the vineyards" – the alarm raised by the Morellino di Scansano Consortium Gambero Rosso International
[Interview with the president of the Morellino di Scansano DOCG Protection Consortium, Bernardo Guicciardini Calamai]
Il Giunco l Eolico, la preoccupazione dei cittadini: «Solo pochi giorni per le opposizioni al parco di Montiano»
Mythbustingn | "Wind power is unreliable, inefficient and harmful to nature"
Hannah Ritchie (2022) - “How does the land use of different electricity sources compare?” Published online at OurWorldinData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/land-use-per-energy-source' [Online Resource]
Stribugliano | Deltaplano e il parapendio
NO AL PARCO EOLICO DI MAGLIANO IN TOSCANA | website: www.facebook.com/groups/1228489722249534
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Previously, the region of Tuscany rejected the 72.8 MW wind farm in Magliano in Toscana. There was an unfavourable opinion in the national environmental assessment procedure due to critical landscape issues, which may also apply to the wind farm in L'Abbandonato.
Riserva naturale Bosco dei Rocconi | www.wwf.it
[0] La collocazione delle turbine eoliche nel parco eolico si basa sulla richiesta firmata dalla Regione Toscana, pagina 26 | De plaatsing van de windmolens in Google Maps is gebaseerd op de gesigneerde aanvraag van de Regio Toscane, pagina 26. [ Progetto per la realizzazione di Parco eolico per la produzione di energia elettrica della potenza di 42 MW alla località "L'abbandonato" del Comune di Arcidosso, e delle opere connesse e delle infrastrutture indispensabili nei Comuni di Arcidosso, Civitella Paganico, Cinigiano, Campagnatico, Roccalbegna e Manciano (GR)]
[1] Photo by Traveling Guide © All rights reserved
[2] Foto di Antonio Cinotti, licenziato in base ai termini della licenza Creative CommonsAttribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0).
[3] Foto di Gunnsteinn Jonsson - Falcon - Falco biamicus, CC BY 3.0, Link
[4] Foto dii Achim Raschka - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, Collegamento
[5] Il Gruppo Visconti Il Gruppo Visconti e’ proiettato allo sviluppo di impianti di energia alternativa, dove il focus rimane l’ importanza di valorizzare il territorio e la natura.(sic!)
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Other Wind parks in Tuscany.
There are ten wind farms in Tuscany.
Parco Eolico Montemignaio (Edison Rinnovabili), 3 turbine, 1,8 MW, Poggio della Risala, Montemignaio (AR)
Parco Eolico Poggi Alti (RWE), 10 turbine, 20 MW , Poggi Alti, Scansano (GR)
Parco Eolico Monte Vitalba (Encavis - AGSM Verona), 7 turbine, 6 MW, Monte Vitalba , Chianni (PI)
Pontedera Eolica (Compagnia Valdostana delle Acque - ASA Livorno), 4 turbine, 8 MW, Gello, Pontedera (PI)
Consorzio Sviluppo Aree Geotermiche - Wind Power Plant UNO, 11 (Leitner LTW77) 16,5 MW, La Miniera, Montecatini, Val di Cecina (PI)
Parco Eolico Carpinaccio (European Energy - AGSM Verona), 17 turbine, 13,6 MW, Monte Carpinaccio, Firenzuola (FI)
Parco Eolico Riparbella (European Energy - AGSM Verona), 10 turbine, 20 MW, Poggio Malconsiglio,Riparbella (PI)
Santa Luce (Edison Rinnovabili), 13 turbine, 23,4 MW, Poggio Palmorelle - Poggio del Tiglio, Santa Luce (PI)
Eolica Toscana (Fabbrica Energie Rinnovabili Alternative - Solo Rinnovabili), 5 turbine, 10 MW, Monte Colombo, Zeri (MS)
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ocietà Elettrica Ligure Toscana (WEB Windenergie), 6 turbine, 20 MW , Ischia di Crociano, Piombino (LI)
Ewind 27 (EWT Italia, )1 turbine, 1 MW, Poggio dei Prati , Badia Tedalda (AR)
In progetto (ELENCO)
Montauto, Manciano (GR), Apollo Wind, 8 turbine, 52,8 MW | Progetto
Rempillo, Pitigliano (GR), Sorgenia, 6 turbine, 37,2 MW | Progetto
Poggio Fuoco - Montauto, Manciano (GR), Gruppo Visconti, 7 turbine, 50,4 MW | Progetto
Scansano (GR) - Magliano in Toscana (GR), Gruppo Visconti, 11 turbine, 80 MW | Progetto
Montiano, Magliano in Toscana (GR) - Orbetello (GR), Gruppo Visconti, 13 turbine, 72,8 MW | Progetto
Morrano - la Rotta, Manciano (GR) - Pitigliano (GR), Gruppo Visconti, 14 turbine, 72,8 MW | Progetto
Sorano (GR) - Pitigliano (GR), RWE, 20 turbine, 140 MW | Progetto
Sorano (GR), Fred Olsen, 8 turbine, 43,4 MW | Progetto
Asciano (SI), Gruppo Visconti, 10 turbine, 72 MW | Progetto
L'abbandonato, Arcidosso (in reale cinigiano) (GR), Energia Ecosostenibile, 7 turbine, 42 MW | Progetto
Valle del Papa - Fontana Sugarella Sorano (GR), Sorano Wind, 8 turbine, 57,6 MW | Progetto
Grosseto - Gavorrano (GR) - Castiglione della Pescaia (GR), Revalue Wind 1, (?) turbine, 60 MW | Progetto
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