Castiglioncello started to become a popular tourist venue during the second half of the 1800’s when the art critic and patron Diego Martelli decided, due to the mild climate and the beauty of the landscape, to make his home here. For many years until the end of the century he invited painters to stay with him, many of whom later became famous and part of the Macchiaioli group giving birth to the celebrated artistic period “the school of Castiglioncello”. Here came to stay writers such as Renato Fucini and poets such as Giovanni Marradi who helped to make Castiglioncello famous. In the 1960’s Castiglioncello was a meeting place for VIP’s in the world of culture and particularly of the cinema of those years. How many of us can say that we have not seen the film “Il Sorpasso” with Vittorio Gassman? In the background of many scenes in that film was Castiglioncello. In the past many famous actors stayed here such as Sordi, Mastroianni, Gassman and some of the most important politicians such as Spadolini. Many of these people continue to pass their summers here.

Today Castiglioncello offers one of the most beautiful beaches of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and is known both in Italy and abroad for the beauty of its landscape, the quality and refinement of the facilities it offers and the richness of its cultural activities. In fact without doubt one can say that Castiglioncello is a centre of great importance for culture, dance, theatre and many other enterprises which take place above all in the magnificent location of “Castello Pasquini”.