Cala Martina, Protected cove in Scarlino, Italy.
Cala Martina is a protected cove near Scarlino featuring two distinct rocky bays stretching roughly 600 meters along the coast. The inlet lies within a nature reserve and faces the Gulf of Follonica, with clear waters and a rocky seafloor.
In 1849, Giuseppe Garibaldi used this cove to escape papal forces by boarding a fishing boat headed to Portovenere. This moment marked a turning point during his military campaigns in the unification wars.
The name honors Martina and connects to Garibaldi's landing here, which locals have long remembered through oral tradition. Visitors can stand at the exact spot of this event and see how the landscape has remained largely unchanged over generations.
The cove is best reached from Lungomare Garibaldi in Scarlino, requiring a 45-minute walk through partially shaded paths. Sturdy shoes are recommended since the trail crosses rocks and entry to the water is rocky throughout.
A half-bust sculpture by artist Tolomeo Faccendi stands near the trail path commemorating Garibaldi's moment at this site. The artwork remains quiet and easily overlooked by most visitors despite being a meaningful marker of local memory.
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