An Italian Spa in Tuscany's Maremma Region
Terme di Saturnia is in the Heart of Etruscan Territory
Located about two hours north of Rome, the hotel and spa is nestled in the heart of the rural, unspoiled Maremma region of Tuscany. The simple, yet elegant travertine stone hotel surrounds the ancient thermal spring, which maintains a year round temperature of 98.6 degrees/37 degrees Celsius. The Etruscans discovered the thermal pools over 3,000 years ago and used them for their therapeutic qualities, and, today the same qualities still apply.
As legend explains it, an angry Saturn hurled a lightening bolt into the ground, causing the warm, sulfurous waters to gush forth from the crater of a now extinct volcano. The water from the spa’s pool flows nearly a mile away into a waterfall and the hot springs of Saturnia.
Terme’s six thermal pools attract Italians from Milan, Rome and Florence as well as generations of local people seeking a stress-free sojourn. At the hotel’s main thermal pool, Italians don white terry robes during the day and partake in therapeutic and beauty treatments to the latest cures, all of which are overseen by a discreet round-the-clock medical team.
For the few Americans that venture to this undiscovered rural region of southwestern Tuscany, Terme di Saturnia offers a welcome respite. After traveling a long distance, languishing in the hot, antioxidating sulfurous water is a welcome respite. Untamed, rolling green hills with olive groves and ubiquitous cypress trees surround the hotel; Saturnia, the small medieval hill town is within site and perched above the hotel. Named after Saturn, the village is easily reached on foot and is one of the many must-see diversions in the area.
Getting to Terme di Saturnia in the Maremma region of Tuscany is easy. For a modest fee, the hotel will arrange for a driver to pick guests up at the airport or the train station. While staying at the spa, a car isn’t necessary. The hotel will make arrangements for visits to the nearby hill towns of Savana, Sorano and Pitigliano. However, if your itinerary includes exploring the countryside rich in Etruscan ruins, a car is absolutely necessary. Days can be spent walking the region discovering intriguing, ancient Etruscan tombs and settlements. In Sovana alone, there are over 20,000 Etruscan tombs littering the area.
The drive from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport to medieval Saturnia is approximately 150km/80 miles. Exiting the airport, drive 65 miles north on the SS1, which is a coast road, and catch a glimpse of the calm Tyrannian Sea. Take the Albinia/Pitigliano exit and drive on the S74 NE for about 15 miles. From this point, the drive is on winding, circuitous country roads with bright green Tuscan hills dotted with sheep and the occasional farm house. Pass the hill towns of Manciano and Montemarona (4km from the hotel).
For travelers who have a hectic summer itinerary in Florence, Siena or Rome, planning a trip to Saturnia afterwards will prove to be less chaotic. If taking the train, get off in Grosseto, the province where Saturnia is located.
The Maremma region is a special part of Italy which will lure travelers to return again and again.
