Terme di Saturnia

Useful Information

Location:	South of Saturnia.
Open:	No restrictions. [2012]
Fee:	free. [2012]
Classification:	Sinter Terraces
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	Y=800 l/s.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Terme di Saturnia are hot springs near the town Saturnia. Both are actually named after an legend in which Jupiter and Saturn had a quarrel. Jupiter was the god who threw lightning bolts, and he became so angry so he threw a lightning bolt towards Saturn, missed, and caused the hot spring.

The hot spring produces 800 liters per second of 37.5 °C warm spring water containng sulfur, carbon, sulfate, bicarbonate-alkaline, and more. The water contains 2.79 grams of minerals per liter, mostly limestone, which is dissolved by the carbon dioxide in the water. But as soon as it reaches the surface, it cools, looses carbon dioxide and deposits much of its content. The limestone forms rimstone pools, which are composed mostly of calcite.

The Terme di Saturnia are freely accessible, and visited by locals and tourists. Nearby is a hotel, spa and golf resort of the same name which has its own thermal pools but is rather expensive. But there are numerous spring in the area an many are free. The Cascate del Mulino (Mill Falls), is located at an old mill. The water was once used to power the waterwheel of the mill, but the rimstone dams have owvergrown the old mill canal. The picturesque setting is probably the most popular of all springs. The place is also called the Cascate del Gorello (Waterfalls of Gorello).