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In the heart of the Maremma, along the Via Clodia, among charming scenery and archaeological finds, is Saturnia, noted throughout the world for its thermal waters. In fact, near the town, the copious sulphuric water (800 litres a second) gush out at 37° and give spontaneous life to a suggestive waterfall which forms a series of natural pools, carved in the rock; the same water has for ten years also served the efficient thermal plant in which, thanks to the water’s properties, certain illnesses are cured.

The legend regarding the birth of Saturnia tells that the god Saturno, angry with the people who were always at war with each other, sent a thunderbolt to earth, giving life to a magic spring of warm sulphur water which would pacify man.
It is also said that Saturnia is the oldest city in the peninsula, dedicated to the god Saturno, it is however certain that the present day town was built on an enormous mass of Travertino stone, at the place of the ancient settlement which goes back to, at least, the XII century B.C.
Etruscans and Romans, who successively dominated it, loved it and, each in their own time, took advantage of the thermal waters. In 1300 Saturnia, became the hideout of exiles and was razed to the ground by Siena.
During the Medieval period many legends grew up around Saturnia on account of the dense smoke in the countryside, where the steam rose from the springs’ heat, making one think of the underworld. In fact it was said that the devil came out from there and that sabbatical rites and meetings of witches and wizards took place there.
Of the waters, it was said that they were bewitched, both on account of their heat and for the acute “satanic” odour which emanated from them.
Forgotten for several centuries, Saturnia was rediscovered in the second half of the 1800s when Bernardino Ciacci arranged to have the land around the spring drained and a thermal establishment built.
Recommend are also trips to the medieval castles of Sovana - except the attendance of the hot springs (both the health spa and the natural limestone cascades in the midst of the landscape) - where you will find Etruscan necro-poli with grave chambers from 5. and 4. Century; to Pitigliano for the inspection of the "Palazzo Orsini" and to the Monte Amiata.

 

The uncanny gardens of the "Parco dei Mostri" near Bomarzo, approx. one hour by car, were put on by Vicino Orsini, the prince of Bomarzo, between 1522 and his death in the year 1584.
The gardens are full of wondrous buildings and fantastic plastics with cryptic inscriptions in the classical languages. They call the plant "holy forest", which is inhabited by Gods and nature spirits. Some of the figures, as this fantasy shape whose mouth forms a excavate-like-opening, perhaps representing shapes from Ariosts Epos "Racing Roland". One visits the famous gardens best in autumn evenings, as the ne bula clouds ascending from the valley lend a mysterious atmosphere to the place.

 

 

Giardino dei Tarocchi
Tarot-garden of Niki de Saint Phalle ? at Capalbio/Maremma The sculpture garden of the American artist Niki de Saint Phalle really is an experience made of fantasy and play desire. Fable animals, towers, labyrinths, goddesses, fate wheels and other colourful erotic sculptures are represented, which one enter, on which one climb and in which one may sit down. By her provoking Nanas, grotesque "women´s dolls" made of polyester, the famous US artist fulfilled herself the dream in 1979, on an area placed from one sponsor close Capalbio to form the large Arkane, the 22 most important maps of the Tarot, into huge large figures made of concrete and Majolika.
Loudircous,shrill and obscene they are standing now on a hill under the Etruscan sky. They fit for the one like the fist on the eye into the landscape, for others again symbolize their (own?) fantasies, dreams and nightmares, old cultures and adventures in magnificent colours.
Opening times: From June to September usually daily from 14.30 to 19.30h, deviations possible. Info. telephone: (0039) 0564 23872 Entrance approx. 10 Euro Homepage: www.nikidesaintphalle.com Description of way: Via Aurelia exit Chiarino Stazione direction Pescia Fiorentina, about 4 km.

Il Giardino di Daniel Spoerri

At the beginning of the Nineties the Swiss Artist Daniel Spoerri started to establish a sculpture garden in the South of Tuscany, 80 km south from Siena: “Il Giardino di Daniel Spoerri”. It has been opened for the public in 1997 and can hence be visited from Easter until October. By now there are 79 installations by about 40 artists in an area of about 16 ha. Since 1997 “Il Giardino di Daniel Spoerri” is an officially accepted foundation.
The name „Il Giardino“ derives from its geographical position. On old maps the place is called “Il Paradiso”. Thus it is a “Garden of Eden”. Regarding the structure of the landscape it is not as poor as the hilly area around Siena with its isolated cypresses. There slopes of the Monte Amiata - the highest mountain of Tuscany - is densely wooded. The landscape is very different from the typical Tuscan views that we usually see in calendar pictures. There is snow in winter. The Monte Amiata is even known as a skiing area.

www.danielspoerri.org