Il Papvero is situated in the flatlands of the Tuscan Maremma, an area that was once covered by vast marshes but is now some of the most fertile land in Tuscany.
The marshes were drained in the 16th century under the order of Leopold II of Lorena. While helping to eliminate the rampant malaria that plagued the area, the draining of the marshes also provided new lands to farmers and labourers who left the nearby hills and moved into the plains to dedicate themselves to agriculture. Parts of the original marshlands still exist today in protected areas and nature reserves.
After the Second World War, the land was systematically divided and sold by the local Authority and many new farms were created. Il Papavero began its life in this period as a breeding farm for dairy cattle whose lands were cultivated exclusively for the purpose of growing food for the herd.
Over the years, this family-run farm has transformed itself to the point where it is predominantly agriculture-based. In 2002, Il Papavero officially became an “Agriturismo”.
Besides the traditional growing of cereals (grain, sunflowers and corn), Il Papavero has specialized in the cultivation of asparagus, zucchini, pumpkin and other squashes, melon, watermelon, peppers and other vegetables, and in the growing of olives.
Naturally, all the produce from our farm is freely available to our guests and we will be happy to provide details about their characteristics and cultivation.
To complement its agricultural endeavours, Il Papavero has expanded its activities to cater to the many tourists that come to experience the Tuscan Maremma. The buildings that once housed livestock have been completely restructured and modernized and now host comfortable vacation apartments where guests can relax and enjoy the countryside.
