Porto Ercole () 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". It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").
Geography The resort is located on the eastern side of Monte Argentario promontory, and is from Grosseto, from Orbetello and about 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 Sovana, ordered the construction of a tower named Torre di Terra, the oldest core of the town. Municipal history of Monte Argentario
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.Church bones 'belong to Caravaggio', researchers say (BBC website)Vatican reveals Caravaggio painting 'found' in Rome (BBC website) 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. Infos at ferrovieabbandonate.it:it:Ferrovia Orbetello-Porto Santo Stefano
It counts two harbours: Porto Vecchio, the old town's port, and Cala Galera, located in a northern bay. Port of Cala Galera website
Twin towns Caravaggio, Italy; since 1973 Infos at tuscanytravels.info
Photogallery
See also Porto Santo Stefano Battle of Orbetello Yacht Club Santo Stefano Forte La Rocca Lighthouse
References
External links
Porto Ercole official website Monte Argentario official website