THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN SATURNIA AND MONTEMERANO
More than just thermal baths; a weekend of history, good food and, above all, relaxation in Maremma, Tuscany.
The name Saturnia immediately inspires thoughts of pleasant days of peace and good food, immersed in the hot waters of the springs. But as well as the soothing heat of the baths, the area also offers another type of wellbeing to be experienced in Italy.
Nearby are villages of certain charm, custodians of a long-ago history that has remained surprisingly intact. The villages of Saturnia and Montemerano, in the municipality of Manciano, are just a short car journey from the Saturnia Thermal Baths and are definitely worth a visit to experience another kind of pleasure through their history and genuine flavours.
The village of Saturnia was first mentioned in a document dating back to around 1200 AD and referring to the castle, the church of Santa Maria Maddalena and the already very popular hot springs. It was first the property of the Aldobrandeschi family, passing subsequently to that of the Orsini family; the same fate as that of the nearby villages known as the Città del Tufo (Tufa Cities): Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana. Similarly, the first settlements date back to the Etruscan era, as shown by the archaeological findings discovered in the area, some of which are kept in the Museum of Archaeology of Saturnia – Manciano – The Albegna hills. Testaments of the village’s history also include the fortified structure of the Rocca Aldobrandesca and Porta Romana: the oldest part of the town walls dating back to Roman times where the ancient Via Clodia passes.
Art and history are fused in Saturnia: as well as being full of bars and restaurants, the heart of the centre, represented by Piazza Vittorio Veneto, is also home to the Pietro Aldi Cultural Centre, a collection of works by the well-known Manciano-born painter as well as a children’s library.
Montemerano has an even more characteristic air; listed as one of the Borghi più Belli d’Italia (Most Beautiful Villages in Italy), its historical centre has been kept exactly as it was in medieval times.
A scene of narrow alleyways, ancient buildings and stone houses which catapult visitors to a whole new era as they simply wander the streets. And as you wander the village, make sure you take in the splendid view from the Piazza del Castello over the Church of San Giorgio and the History of Art Library where around ten thousand books wait to be read; all this without, of course, forgetting a break for fine wine and food in one of the elegant restaurants that line the squares and alleys of the village.
And at the end of our experiences with history and good food, the Saturnia Hot Springs have just what you need to rest and relax. You can choose to pervade the senses in the beneficial sulphurous waters in the splendid spa or in the open springs of the Cascate del Mulino, immersing yourself not only in the baths but also in the nature of the Maremma. Waterfalls and pools formed naturally by the incessant flow of the thermal waters create a truly unique landscape for leisure and relaxation that are equally unique.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN SATURNIA AND MONTEMERANO:
- The town centre and Piazza Vittorio Veneto in Saturnia,
- The Museum of Archaeology of Saturnia – Manciano – The Albegna Hills,
- The Pietro Aldi Cultural Centre,
- The Rocca Aldobrandesca,
- Porta Romana and Via Clodia.
- The medieval village, alleyways and Piazza del Castello in Montemerano,
- The Church of San Giorgio
- The History of Art Library.
- Saturnia Thermal Baths,
- The free hot springs of Cascate del Mulino.
INFO:
SPA Terme di Saturnia: https://www.termedisaturnia.it/it
Terme libere Cascate del Mulino: https://www.cascate-del-mulino.info/
Montemerano: http://www.montemerano.info/