The territory of Roccastrada is now largely cultivated, although the northernmost portion has remained uncultivated and wooded. The territory is connected by a dense network of roads that make it easy to reach all the hamlets, while rail transport is still underdeveloped. There are numerous initiatives aimed at promoting typical products from the agri-food chain and cultural events concentrated in, but not limited to, certain summer months. The presence of large protected areas from a naturalistic standpoint, such as La Pietra and Belagaio, and the enhancement of the Merse valley contribute to a full enjoyment of the natural environment.
The main town, Roccastrada, is situated on a rocky spur, trachyte, typical of this part of the Maremma. The town centre today is much larger than the medieval one, which was an important castle in the system set up by the Aldobrandeschi family.
Sassofortino is a village set on a terrace overlooking wide expanses of land that have been cultivated since ancient times. Its history is inextricably linked to Sassoforte, the top of a high hill that today is home to a typical beech wood of particular interest, but in the Middle Ages was an important castle, the ruins of which are still clearly visible in the woods and partly the subject of archaeological excavations.
On the same ridge is Roccatederighi, another castle that, unlike Sassoforte, was not abandoned at the end of the Middle Ages. Numerous examples of medieval architecture can still be found along the streets of the old town. Montemassi also stands at the foot of a medieval castle that has been the subject of archaeological excavations, but its fame is linked to the famous fresco by the Sienese painter Simone Martini in Siena’s public palace.
Ribolla’s history is linked to mining activity and the tragic event in 1954 that saw the death of 43 miners. Ribolla is in fact part of a mining district that includes the entire Masseto area.
Piloni, on the other hand, is the only hamlet in the municipality that does not originate from a medieval castle, but from a rather recent logging village. Today it is immersed in the Farma nature reserve. Piloni is linked to Torniella, which in the Middle Ages was a small castle whose structure can still be recognised in the modern settlement.
Of particular note is also the abbey of Giugnano, which still has a Romanesque crypt. Sticciano is a small medieval castle. The Romanesque church is the only preserved building, although the perimeter of the ancient walls can be discerned from the layout of the buildings.