The Maremma is a large expanse of low-lying country traversed by drainage canals and broken up by various hills and promontories (former islands); it extends along the coast from the mouth of the River Cécina (south of Livorno) to near the town of Civitavecchia in the region of Latium (Lazio). The name Maremma is a form of the adjective maríttima; in prehistoric times the sea reached into this area, leaving a residue in the form of coastal lagoons. The Etruscans were the first to drain the marshes of the Maremma by constructing a carefully contrived system of drainage channels.
In this area they established the towns of Rusellae (Roselle) and Vetulonia and worked the deposits of minerals in the Colline Metallífere, south of the River Cécina. In Roman times the fertile land of the Maremma was distributed to veterans of the legions; but after the collapse of Roman power the drainage system fell into decay, the land reverted to marsh and malaria became rife. The inhabitants fled from the fever-ridden marshland to the hills, where new centers of spiritual and secular authority were established. During the Middle Ages various religious houses sought to restore the drainage system; but their success was short- lived, since the area was frequently raided and plundered by the Saracens. From this period date the many ruined watch-towers and defensive works to be seen in the Maremma. The Maremma was not finally drained until the years between 1930 and 1960; and only then was malaria finally eradicated. This meant, of course, a radical change in the pattern of vegetation and animal life, and the buffaloes and half-wild horses formerly so numerous in this area have now almost completely disappeared.
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