From the hills to the Monte Amiata
COLLINE METALIFERE
The Colline Metallifere, an important chain of hills of the Tuscan Antiappennines have been famous and exploited for the mineral deposits since Etruscan times.
SCANSANO
Enchanting village on the hills in the Grosseto province, 500 meters above sea level. If you do stop over do not forget to savour local gastronomy: simple dishes with full tastes. Also don’t forget that this is also the land where some great wine is produced, the Morellino di Scansano, DOC, fullbodied and ruby coloured.
AREA DEL TUFO
This is the southern most part of the Maremma region with its extraordinary patrimony enriched by ancient palaces, fortresses, renaissance and small medieval villages. Amongst these Manciano, where the Sienese Cassero soars. Its balcony offers an unprecedented view; Pitigliano, where the so called dug roads, cut through the tuff can be seen; the picturesque Sovana and Sorano, also with centuries of history behind them and finally Saturnia, where the Terme di Saturnia spa baths can be found, by now renown at an international level, with tubs holding sulphurous waters at a constant temperature of 37.5°C.
MONTE AMIATA
The only volcano to be found in Tuscany; still today it reveals its typical cone-shaped profile. Nature and history are tightly woven, alternating between trees and monuments, waters and villages, rocky hillsides and streets. The wealth of the volcanic land, the closeness to the sea, the millennial work of man add a special touch to the Amiata forests.
Traditions and festivals
Focarazza of Santa Caterina on Christmas Eve; La Castagna in Festa (Arcidosso); Palio delle Contrade of Castel del Piano; Torciata of San Giuseppe (Pitigliano); Balestro del Girifalco (Massa Marittima).
Not to be missed
Saturnia Spas; Massa Marittima; i Canaloni del Farma.
Golf green
Terme di Saturnia Golf Club (Saturnia).
Museums
Archaeological and Vine and Wine Museum (Scansano); Palazzo Orsini Museum, Permanent Exhibition of Jewish Culture, Ambients of the Old Jewish Communities (Pitigliano); Fortezza Orsini Medieval and Renaissance Museum (Sorano); David Lazzaretti Study Center (Arcidosso); Monte Amiata Mines Museum (Santa Fiora); Mines Museum, Archaeological and Art Museum, Mine Art and History Museum, Candeliere Tower and Senese Fortress, Old Oil-Mill, Old joiner’s shop, Sacred Art Museum (Massa Marittima).
Archaeological Parks
“Città del Tufo” Archaeological Park (Sorano-Sovana).
Artistic Gardens
Daniel Spoerri’s Garden (Seggiano).
Nature Parks and Reserves
Faunistic Park of Monte Amiata; Technological and Archaeological Park of the Colline Metallifere; Biancane Park (Monterotondo Marittimo); Carapax European Centre for protection of turtles and storks (Massa Marittima).