Thermal hot springs sites in Tuscany
Bagno Vignoni is a village on a hill above the Val d’Orcia in Tuscany, the baths are hot spring fed pools which make this a much-visited site for centuries since the Roman times. These medieval baths, originating in the 16th century, are along the via Francigena pilgrimage route and very near to the Orcia River, where pilgrims could rest their weary feet. This structure has survived Middle Age wars and fires, some true tests of time and it’s restoration is a testament to its value to the community. Before this bath was built, Etruscans used the natural hot springs in this area. Houses and inns were built around the pool, and spa-goers are able to experience benefits of the waters at associated spa centers. Water to this pool comes from a tank that stores hot water that is sourced from an aquifer of volcanic origins. A 16th century scholar from Siena, Lattanzio Tolomei, wrote an inscription dedicated to Nymphs with verses in Greek carved on a plague, still visible in the loggias. The City of Siena (50 miles north) took an interest in setting up and following through with the way thermal cures were administered. The water is still drained and changed out every May. (Citation: http://www.poderesantapia.com/album/sur7b.htm…)
This pool, situated in the UNESCO site of the Val d’Orcia, was once home to St. Catherine was and was visited by the Pope Pius the II. St. Catherine’s mother is said to have brought her here to dissuade her from becoming a nun. Today the site is surrounded by shops and cafes, and while people don’t use the historic part of the pool, it is still a beloved center of community and access to nearby natural hot springs at nearby Mills Park. Pictured below is the Piazza delle Sorgenti.
