Frassine: Pilgrimage, Art and Local History

Frassine is a destination whose history spans a Lombard settlement, pilgrimage and art. For planning, there are specific points of reference: the feast of the Madonna del Frassine on April 25, the Santuario’s opening hours and several historic landmarks.

Pilgrimage and Practical Information

The Santuario della Madonna del Frassine continues to be a pilgrimage destination, especially on April 25, the feast of the Madonna del Frassine. If you are planning your trip around this date, check the details of the celebrations in advance, as event details may vary.

The Santuario Nostra Signora del Frassine is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. As these are current opening hours, check them before you travel. Next to the Santuario della Madonna del Frassine is the Casa del Pellegrino, a reception building that is self-managed during the day and has a kitchen and dining room. If you plan to use it, check the current arrangements in advance if needed.

Local History and Building History

Frassine was established in the 6th century under the name Gualdo del Re as a Lombard settlement. The name Frassine first appears around the year 1000. These are two distinct historical details: the first concerns the settlement under its name at the time, while the second concerns the first appearance of the name Frassine. The first recorded mention of the name should therefore not be equated with the settlement’s founding date.

The church’s building history begins at a later point. The Santuario della Madonna del Frassine was built on the ruins of the former church of Santa Maria in Frassineto, which is documented in the 14th and 15th centuries. The early history of the settlement and the history of the religious building can therefore be viewed as separate periods.

Art and Places of Remembrance

The Santuario houses the wooden statue of the “Vergine col Bambino.” It is attributed to an as-yet-unknown artist from the Pisan school of the 14th century. This art-historical classification identifies a school and period without naming a specific artist.

The “Cippo ai caduti di Frassine” partisan memorial is located in Frassine. It commemorates the fallen partisans, marking a different aspect of the town’s history from its religious art.

Another historical episode is the sulfur mine, which operated in Frassine from around 1500 to 1600. The small “Museo dei miracoli” contains numerous painted panels from the 19th century. Alongside the 14th-century wooden statue, this also brings a later period of art into focus.

The Landscape Around the Bagni del Re

The Bagni del Re are in the vicinity of Frassine, on the plain between the Cornia River and the hill of Frassine, along the Fosso Malguado. The site, with its three buildings, included thermal springs. These geographical landmarks place the Bagni del Re in a landscape of river, plain, hill and watercourse.

Find Hotels in Frassine

If you are looking for hotels in Frassine, start with your travel dates and the purpose of your stay. April 25 is a specific date for the pilgrimage; the Santuario’s daily opening hours are a separate planning consideration and should be checked before a visit. This lets you account for the feast date and visiting hours separately before choosing accommodation for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Suvereto, La Dispensa, Orbetello, Scarlino, La Torba, Pitigliano, Borgo Santa Rita, Roccastrada

For the broader travel overview: Grosseto.