Terme di Saturnia
One of the places to live a unique experience full of romanticism are the Saturnia waterfalls in Maremma (also called cascades, Gorello waterfalls or Mulino waterfalls), they are free and therefore free, always open even at night and are located about 3 km before. to arrive at the village of Saturnia.
The source of the Terme di Saturnia, in Maremma, is born in a volcanic crater (where the swimming pool of the establishment is located) and subsequently flows along a natural stream (called the Gorello) for about 500 meters, where a drop creates a waterfall that laps an ancient mill, and in turn forms a series of natural pools carved into the rock on several levels.
These waterfalls are located in the open countryside but are easy to spot: a couple of kilometers before arriving, on the left side of the road, there is a panorama that allows you to admire the falls in all their beauty in the distance, made even more suggestive. , from the cloud of steam that perennially accompanies this enchanted place. Immersing yourself in the warm water of the natural pools is a real pleasure even in the coldest months of the year, during which, however, we recommend that you keep your bathrobe not too far away to quickly cover yourself as soon as you get out of the hot water.
The waterfalls are accessible every day at all hours, bathing at night under the stars or illuminated by the moon is an experience that we recommend you try! In this case a torch will be useful, especially when there is no moon, also remember that it is a natural place in the open countryside so you will not find bathrooms or changing rooms. On the other hand, there is obviously free parking.
The Terme di Saturnia and its sulphurous waters that flow from the subsoil with a flow rate of 800 liters per second and a constant temperature of 37 ° Centigrade, were already known at the time of the Etruscans who had identified “miraculous” virtues in the source. Subsequently, starting from 280 BC, it was the Romans who benefited from these waters. They were the first to create real buildings for the therapeutic exploitation of the spring; Numerous artifacts are still visible today, bearing witness to the work of the Romans. In the Middle Ages the particularity of this place, due to the water vapor, the heat released and the smell of sulfur, propitiated many legends. It was said that the devil came out of here when he left the underworld. The territory was described as a place where bewitched waters gushed out, which were deposited in steaming and boiling pools, spreading a sharp satanic smell in the air. The chronicles of the time recall conferences of wizards and witches, spells and sabbatical rites.
Also in the Middle Ages, the thermal baths of Saturnia were mentioned by Pope Clement III who in a bull of 1118 mentions “hospitale de balneo” and “a living room for those who went to the hot sulphurous baths of Saturnia”. Today the Terme di Saturnia are known all over the world, however they had a first organizational structure only in 1865, when Dr. Bernardino Ciacci provided to reclaim the soil of the source, and by renovating the existing buildings, he created an efficient thermal establishment. In the early twentieth century the hotel was built and the complete analyzes of the chemical characteristics of the water, carried out by the Chemistry Department of the Universities of Siena, Pisa and Rome, confirmed its great health properties.
In 1978 the Tuscany Region authorized the permanent opening of the center with balneo-mud therapy activities and thus began the path that led the Terme di Saturnia to achieve the world fame they have achieved today.
