Saturnia stands perched on the rocks of a Maremma hill overlooking the valley below containing of the thermal waters.
Ancient legend identifies Saturnia with Saturnia Tellus. One of these legends tells that it was the home of the god Saturn, son of Uranus and Lord of the Gods until of one his sons dispossessed him.Legend has it t hat Saturnia, drawn by lot by that same god, was in fact the first Italian city.
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The source of the thermal waters of Saturnia springs from a volcanic crater which is, today, the main pool of the Spa. The water runs along a natural stream for about 500m. until it forms an evocative waterfall among the calcareous pools whose rocks have been smoothed over the ages. It is one of the most famous and evocative places in Saturnia; there are always a lot of bathers there both by day and by night.
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As you drive along the trunk road no.74 'Maremmana' and pass the Fiora River, coming from the direction of Manciano, suddenly, at the bend in the road at the 'Madonna delle Grazie' (The Madonna of Thanksgiving), you will see the splendid sight, like a post card, of a wall of tuff rock that develops into the houses growing out of it. There are haphazard little towers and historic buildings all built in the same material, and giving the city the name of the City in Tuff (rock)
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Sovana as the most perfectly preserved medieval town in Maremma, as well as one of the most beautiful,and at its entrance the unaware visitor will find himself thrown back into the mediaeval period .
The Etruscan tombs of the area are truly atmospheric, including the monumental Ildebranda Tomb. There are numerous possible excursions on foot to get to know this fascinating area characterised by the typical tufaceous landscape of the unique "vie cave".
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