Saturnia
Saturnia is a wonderful little town on the Maremman hills, in the heart of the south of Tuscany, immersed amongst scenery and landscapes of incredible beauty and great and profound natural interest.
The town rises on a very ancient Etruscan and Roman zone which is kept alive by a story woven throughout the ruins that have been found.
The enchanting Maremman village is a truly stunning paradise for lovers of art, culture and nature; all of which find a perfect union in this fascinating and exciting territory.
The splendid town of Saturnia is found in the province of Grosseto, in a territory made up of the stunning Tyrrhenian coast, incredible hills and the typical countryside of Tuscany.
It is seen as one of the most celebrated tourist destination, thanks to its magnificent architecture, works of art, the beauty of its environment and the intriguing history which draws tourists and aficionados alike. Saturnia is also famous for its sulfuric spring with waters which offer important curative properties.
The sulfuric water of the thermal springs means that they can boast the presence of elements which have a positive effect on the blood, body and skin. The springs also provide its guests the opportunity to relax and regenerate with numerous therapies, massages and beauty treatments.
In Saturnia you can discover architectonic and artistic treasures of priceless value and visiting the town is definitely a unique and unforgettable experience.
It is truly an enchanting tourist destination that cannot be overlooked by any lover of Italian history and culture.
Not to miss:
The Church of St. Maria Magdalene: a splendid building constructed on the ruins of an older Romanesque church.
Inside it is absolutely fascinating, rich in works of art, paintings and a stunning forth century alfresco which represents the “Madonna con il Banbino tra i Santi Sebastiano e Maria Maddalena” (Madonna with the Baby between the Saints Sebastian and Mary Magdalene).
Palazzo Ciacci: of which, today, remains only the ruins of the impressive surrounding walls. The building itself, however, was built on an already pre-existent Sienese fortress.
The polygon-shaped walls: an impressive defensive fortification created with blocks of travertine and home to the Palazzo Panciatichi- Ximenes, the ancient residence of the Governor of Saturnia.
The ancient Roman columns: built in the principal piazza of the town, they are inscribed with fascinating inscriptions and epigraphs.
Porta Romana (Roman Door): This in the past was built as one of the access points into the fortified city.
Castellum Aquarum: a stunning Roman construction which was originally used as a cistern to collect water and distribute it amongst the population.
An Archaeological Museum of Collezioni Ciacci: an interesting and unique exhibition of Etruscan and Roman ruins, which were found in numerous necropolises and archeological sites sprinkled throughout the Tuscan countryside.
The settlement of Bagno Santo: a primitive structure built in a pre-Etruscan era, extremely close to where the actual Etruscans later built their city.
The Necropolis of San Carlo: where numerous objects belonging to funeral caskets were discovered. You can also admire various typologies of ancient tombs here.
The Necropolis of Pian di Palma: immersed in the countryside which surrounds the town.
The Necropolis of Putone: probably the most important and famous, where you can admire a great number of tombs dating back to between the 7th and 5th century B.C.
History:
Under the history of Saturnia are profoundly ancient roots, in fact we know that the area where today’s Maremman town is, was first inhabited by the Etruscans. In the course of the following centuries, it became an important Etruscan dominion, which could then boast great significance and importance under the control of the Roman Empire.
In fact under the Romans, the city experienced a great period of development, profiting from its extraordinary vicinity to Via Clodia and from the creation of primitive public sulfuric baths. During the Middle Ages it was assisted by the domination of the Aldobrandeschi and the Orsini but experienced a period of great debauchery, with numerous popular legends surfacing around thermal waters.
Many believed the sulfuric waters were really the waters of hell. Only during the 18th century did the fortune of the Tuscan city begin to change, thanks once again from interest by medics and scholars who began to preach about the curative properties of the waters.