The town of Saturnia (Grosseto) (visit this city)
Saturnia is an ancient town located in the southern part of Tuscany, an area known as the Maremma.

A large village, It may be a small out of the way place but it has two excellent restaurants and there is a gelateria where one can lick a delicious ice cream while watching the evening passeggiata. Or you can take it with you and visit the ancient Etruscan gateway to the town.

Saturnia was in ancient times a large town of considerable importance. The porta is easily identifiable as Etruscan owing to its jigsaw pattern of irregular and vast stones so finely cut they have held together without mortar for well over two thousand years. Through this arch passed the 'new' Roman road, the Via Clodia which went from here to Rome: The basalt paving stones bear the grooves of the iron tyres of Roman and mediaeval vehicles. Devastated by malaria, Saturnia was almost abandoned until recently when the nearby spa began to revive its fortunes.

Saturnia itself is a charming medieval village and the surrounding, unspoiled hills are filled with olive groves and woodlands and rich with Etruscan remains. It is about an hour and a half from Rome, an hour from Siena, and a half-hour to the sea. The area has at present gained a reputation for the high standard of its restaurants and trattorie.
At the foot of the hill lies a hot (37°C) water spa famous for its therapeutic qualities.

Just outside from the medieval town walls the countryside spreads out: here you can take easy wonderfool walks through the perfumed Mediterranean bushes along the Albegna river.

Longer walks might take you to Sovana, Sorano, Pitigliano. You may see the sea the distance, framed by the natural park of Mounts of the Uccellina and Monte Argentario. From Porto S.Stefano a daily ferry connects to Giglio and Giannutri islands; not far away are the seaside resorts of Ansedonia and Porto Ercole.

The thermal spas - Hot Springs in Tuscany
Southern Tuscany, in the area around Monte Amiata, has many natural hot springs. In most towns where there are natural hot springs, there is a modern spa where they bring the hot springs water into a swimming pool and you pay to use the pool. Some of these spas are outdoors and only open in summer; others are more medical type spas that are indoors and open all year.
This is a waterfall with a difference - the water is hot, the temperature of a nice hot bath. It smells good and sulphurous but then you can see why the Romans believed the waters came from Hades.

Terme di SATURNIA - The Therms of Saturnia
address: S.P. della Follonata 5805 - Manciano (GR) phone (+39) 0564/601061 OPENING: All year long
KIND OF WATERS: Sulphureous-carbonic-sulphate-bicarbonate-alkaline-terrene water
SICKNESS: Ailments of the digestive system (chronic recurring gastritis, chronic gastric and duodenal ulcer, constipation, light liver insufficiency, obesity)
Ailments of the female genital organs and of the female urinary tracts (Vaginitis, cervixitis, cystitis, annexitis, sterility deriving from inflammation)
Air nose and throat diseases (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, rhino deafness, otosclerosis, dental diseases respiratory ailments: chronic recurring bronchitis, bronchial asthma, lung amphysema, bronchial dilatation)
Arthrosis in its several form (lumbar, cervical, hiperarthrosis)
Chronic recurring monoarticular and polyarticular rheumatism
Osteoarticular diseases
Sequelae of trauma in the locomotory organs (articular stiffnes, arthrosis after trauma, myalgia, neuritis)
Skin diseases (juvenile acne, eczema, psoriasis, allergic dermatitis, seborroheic dermatitis [scalp dandruff, black heads etc.] Mycosis, herpes simplex, ulcer and trophic disturbancesque due to altered peripheral circulation)
Vascular disease (phlebitis and their complications [edema, thropic alterations] high blood-pressure, occluding peripheral arteriac diseases)
THERAPEUTICS APPLIANCES Aerosol Blood circulation walk Endotubaric insuflations Facial mud packs Gymnasium Hydromassage (in pools) Hydropinic treatment Inhalations Ionophoresis Kinetic physiotherapy Marconi therapy Massages Mudtherpy Rectal irrigations Sauna Tanning bed Vaginal irrigations

Directions to hot sprins: From Saturnia, drive out of town. At the main road, turn right. The big spa will be on your left. Just past the entrance to the spa, on your left, you will see a hot river running through the field. Some people stop and swim here. Continue down the main road until it makes a sharp turn to the left. The hot springs waterfall is located on your right at this corner. Take the dirt road in and then turn right into a big parking area. Park in a field and then walk to the river. You have to change beside your car - but everyone does this.