Saturnia staat bekend om zijn Etruskische en Romeinse overblijfselen. De naam gaat terug op Saturnus, de Romeinse god van de wijn (en het zaaien). Volgens een legende werd de stad gesticht door de god Saturnus zelf.
De intacte ommuring, aangelegd door Siena in de 15e eeuw, bewaart nog fragmenten en poorten uit de Etruskische en Romeinse tijd. In de omgeving van Saturnia zijn Etruskische graven ontdekt.
Tegenwoordig is Saturnia vooral beroemd om zijn warmwaterbronnen. Het moderne kuurcomplex Terme di Saturnia ligt aan een landweg even buiten de stad, in de richting van Montemerano. 500 verder ligt de waterval waar gratis een bad in het warme, zwavelhoudende bronwater kan worden genomen.
[Ongeveer 1 km voorbij de afslag naar de Terme di Saturnia, op de plaats waar de weg een bocht naar links maakt, leidt een onverharde weg naar de waterval.]
Niet zo veraf liggen twee mooie middeleeuws dorpen, Montemerano en Manciano. En meer in westelijke richting ligt Magliano in Toscana met de abdij van San Bruzio.
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Saturnia is a spa town in Tuscany, east of Sovana, that has been inhabited since ancient times. It is a frazione of the comune of Manciano and is famous because of its Spa complex which grew up around the sulphur springs, waterfalls and streams which have drawn those seeking a panacea for their ailments for more than 3000 years. The Etruscans who built the town above are thought to have used these surreal bubbling turquoise waters in sacred rites.
Saturnia takes its name from the Roman god Saturn(us). Legend has it that he grew tired of the constant wars of humans, and sent a thunderbolt to earth that created a magic spring of warm sulphurous water which would pacify mankind.
The town itself occupies a strategic position, on the summit of a truncated cone, overlooking the Albegna valley. Known as Aurinia, it was one of the most important Etruscan towns. In Roman times its position on the Via Clodio link added to its significance. The Via Clodio passed through a medieval arc known as the Porta Romana, which rests on Etruscan, or even older town walls. It was the Romans who gave this town its name Saturnia. This ancient town with its many natural beauties typifies this mysterious corner of Tuscany which has been said to be 'closer in time and spirit to the ancient Etruria than to the glitter of the Renaissance'.
Above an ancient Roman Church there rises the parish church, restored in 1933, and among the ruins of the Sienese keep of Villa Ciacci, erected in the shape of a small medieval castle at the beginning of the 1900s, there is hosted a small Antiquarium that contains local Etruscan and Roman findings. The ancient ruins, however, are few because Saturnia was destroyed by the supporters of Silla in the 1st Century B.C. and then, more than once, by the Saracens.
The Spa and waters of Saturnia
The waters are sulphurous and have a temperature of 37.5°C. 800 litres of water per second gush out of the hot springs, thus granting constant purity. The therapeutic properties of the waters of Saturnia were already known and used thousands of years ago by the Etruscans and the Romans
The spa was built in the 1930’s, but its international renown has increased over the past ten years. Nowadays Terme di Saturnia spa line for skin care is exported also to the US.
The waterfalls of Mulino | Cascate del Gorello
These spectacular Falls of sulphurous water are produced by the thermal stream known as “Gorello”. Thermal water constantly flows into natural calcareous basins, then into the underlying river Stellata. The springs are divided between two sites: the enchanting natural pools with waterfalls where access is free and you can always bath. Pleasantly light smell of sulphur evaporates from the bluish grey waters. They slowly flow through the reeds and runs to the water basin of the Cascate del Gorello. The entrance is free.
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 Saturnia
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