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MONTE AMIATA |
  
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| Taking a step further down the boot we come to Amiata, the majestic mountain half-way between Florence and Rome, between Siena and Grosseto; although man has been settled there for centuries, it still maintains its natural balance intact. This mountain, the little towns that surround it and its traditions may be rediscovered step by step as we dip into this extraordinary "historic and natural continuum". This offers a daring flash-back, winding back the reel of time. Everywhere there are precious trace of a past rich in mediaeval history, signs of an age-old relationship between the land, work, production and survival. There is much to offer: not only snow, downhill and cross-country skiing, but also trekking, angling and spa treatments. We must not forget that for the Romans this was "Saturnia Tellus" where Saturn sought refuge, protected by the steam of the hot waters, after he was cast out of his heavenly throne. This itinerary starts off from Bagni di San Filippo, a little town at an altitude of 600 metres in the Commune of Castiglione d'Orcia: it is an unusual spa resort with deposits of travertine and sulphur that give the countryside a fairy-tale appearance. This source of water and mineral salts, attributed by popular legend to Filippo Benizzi, who was later canonized, has had many illustrious visitors over the centuries: in 1485 Lorenzo il Magnifico came to have treatment on his shoulder, while the Grand Duke Ferdinand II came here in 1635 to restore his strength. After Piancastagnaio you go through some other small towns until you come in sight of Santa Fiora. This is a splendidly intact town, but what captures your attention as soon as you arrive is a little stretch of water enclosed by high walls and fed by the waters of the Fiora spring. On top of the large basin are two tufa dolphins. We ought to describe other towns, fortresses and Romanesque churches, but the "Great Mountain" has more to it than this. It is also synonymous with snow, with its 15 kilometres of pistes, 17 ski lifts and the famous ski school. The best pistes lead down from the peak to the broad equipped clearings of Macinaie, Contessa, Marsiliana and Generale Cantore. All this makes Amiata a place worth visiting, even in the evening, when the restaurants serve traditional dishes accompanied by the strong local red wine.
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