THE SULFUR WATERS OF THE SPA DI SATURNIA ARE IN MANCIANO (GR), IN THE TUSCAN MAREMMA, THEY FLOW AT A TEMPERATURE OF 37/38 DEGREES CENTIGRADE AND HAVE MANY AND RECOGNIZED THERAPEUTIC VIRTUES.
The Terme di Saturnia are made up of various thermal springs that flow naturally in the municipality of Manciano in the Province of Grosseto, from which they are 60 kilometers away, at the foot of the medieval village of Saturnia, famous since ancient times for its sulphurous waters, in the hinterland hills of the Maremma Grossetana Tuscany. It is said that the ancient name of the village was Aurinia, or the city of gold, in reference to the god Saturn. The origins of Saturnia are truly lost in a very remote past, and some ancient scholars already reported that this city was even one of the first foundations in Italian history. The great abundance of water, river, spring and healing, is undoubtedly the primary factor of the richness and antiquity of Saturnia where, already in remote times, the site was associated with a celebrated water cult. The current town, of very modest size, has today become the main tourist and economic center of southern Tuscany, thanks to its precious thermal waters, its antiquities and its pleasant and healthy Maremma hilly territory.
The waters of the Terme di Saturnia
The thermal waters of Saturnia flow naturally and incessantly from 3000 years at the always constant temperature of 37.5 degrees centigrade, directly from a volcanic crater with a flow rate of 800 liters per second, completing a 40-year underground journey that begins on the slopes of Mount Amiata and ends in the sources of Saturnia spa. The thermal waters have a carbonic-sulphurous-boric composition, are effective for psycho-physical balance and in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system, skin, rheumatism, circulation and many other pathologies.
The Mulino and Gorello waterfalls
Shortly after the Terme di Saturnia, on the road to Montemerano, the most peculiar village in the Albegna valley, are the famous Mill waterfalls, a town in the open countryside, with free entry, located 2 km from the village of Saturnia, where the thermal waters foam down in a series of cascatelle, near an old mill, forming a highly evocative naturalistic setting. As an alternative, it is also possible to immerse yourself in the waters of the Gorello, a small natural stream of hot water that flows for approximately 500/600 meters and gives rise, thanks to a natural difference in altitude, to the Cascate del Mulino. The waters of Gorello and the Mulino waterfalls they are always accessible throughout the year and it is certainly worth having the experience of a night, preferably with a full moon, immersed in hot water and catching a glimpse of the starry sky of the Grosseto Maremma; where legend has it, everything arose from a bolt of lightning thrown by Jupiter towards Saturn, who, dodging it, caused this precious asset, the Terme di Saturnia, to spring from the earth.
How to get to the Terme di Saturnia, Manciano
The Terme di Saturnia are located in Manciano, in the heart of the Grosseto Maremma, 60 km from Grosseto, 174 km from Rome, 200 km from Florence, 450 km from Milan and 85 km from Orvieto. The nearest airport is Rome Fiumicino, Leonardo da Vinci, and is 160 km from the Terme di Saturnia. Read also: How to get to Maremma Tuscany.
By car
- From northern Italy the spa can be reached via the A1 Milan – Bologna – Florence motorway. Exit at Firenze Certosa and then follow the highway towards Siena – Grosseto – Scansano – Montemerano – Manciano – Saturnia.
- From southern Italy the spa can be reached via the A12 Rome motorway, exiting at Civitavecchia. Then take the SS1 Aurelia until passing Montalto di Castro, exiting at the Vulci crossroads and following the signs for Manciano – Saturnia.
- From Grosseto the spa is about 60 km away, follow the signs for Scansano – Montemerano and finally Saturnia.
By Train – Bus
The closest railway stations to Saturnia are those of Albinia and Orbetello. Not all trains stop in Albinia, so it is advisable (only after carefully checking the train timetables) to get off at Orbetello, take a bus on the Rama line that goes to Manciano, find a connection for Saturnia and get off at the Terme stop .