Saturnia
A small Maremma village located in the heart of the hills of Southern Tuscany, Saturnia presents itself as a town rich in history and interest both from an artistic and historical and cultural point of view.
Built in Roman times and becoming, over the centuries, one of the major attractions of the Maremma area, it offers views that range from the countryside to the valleys, in an area between the Tyrrhenian coast and Mount Amiata.
The town has Etruscan origins and during the Middle Ages it became the domain in succession of the Aldobrandeschi family, the Orsini counts, the city of Orvieto, and the Republic of Siena. Before being annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, it was a possession of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Walking through the streets of the historic center of Saturnia you have the opportunity to admire ancient buildings and palaces of both historical and cultural interest, in this sense we are talking about the Panciatichi-Ximenes Palace, residence of the governors of justice, the Castellum Aquarum which, built a few kilometers from the town, served as a cistern for collecting rainwater Roman Gate, historic access to the fortified city still in good condition today, the Boundary walls, erected by Roman hands and subsequently restored under the Republic of Siena and the ancient columns, of which today only a few ruins remain bearing epigraphs in Latin.
The town of Saturnia also houses the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, a sacred building dating back to the Middle Ages and almost completely restored in the first decade of the 20th century, the Archaeological Museum, which displays an exhibition of finds found in the nearby necropolises and the Rocca Aldobrandesca.
What to see in Saturnia
Saturnia is a village rich in history and art, a small town famous internationally for its sulfur water spas, but also absolutely unmissable for its cultural and artistic richness.
Among the main monuments to see in Saturnia:
- CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA MADDALENA, dating back to 1188, the building was renovated in 1933. Inside the church there are a painting of the Madonna and Child between Saints Sebastian and Mary Magdalene, attributed to Benvenuto di Giovanni, two wooden crosses from the 1700s and a painted tabernacle depicting Saint Clare and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
- CITY WALLS, built in the second 2nd century BC. by the Romans on a pre-existing construction of Etruscan origin, the walls were then remodeled in 1200 by the Aldobrandeschi and later expanded by the Sienese. They included three access gates, Porta di Fonte Buia, Porta Fiorentina and Porta Romana, still existing today and located at the crossing point of the Via Clodia
- ROCCA ALDOBRANDESCA, built in 1100 by the Aldobrandeschi, the fortress was rebuilt in 1400 by the Sienese
- ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, interesting museum which displays a collection of finds from the nearby necropolises and brought to light by the excavation campaign carried out by Gaspero Ciacci, and other interesting finds from Tarquinia and Chiusi
In the surroundings of Saturnia
A few minutes from Saturnia it is possible to reach some of the most interesting villages in the Tuscan Maremma, delightful towns rich in history and monuments to be discovered!
Let’s start from Montemerano, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, just 8 km from Saturnia, Montemerano is a wonderful village, with a typically medieval style, its historic center is a jewel, ancient stone houses, suggestive alleys, arches and the beautiful Piazza del Castle, probably the most iconic place in the town and ancient Piazza d’Armi, the Church of San Giorgio, dedicated to the patron saint of Montemerano and the imposing city walls.
About 15 minutes from Saturnia, 15 km, you come across Manciano “La Spia della Maremma”, is famous for the panorama that can be admired from the top of the Rocca Aldobrandesca, a wonderful view that extends 360° over the entire Tuscan Maremma, do not miss a visit to the Rocca, the Church of San Leonardo , at the Museum of Prehistory and Protohistory of the Fiora Valley, the Clock Tower and the Fountain of Piazza Garibaldi, in Art Nouveau style and dating back to 1913.
Pitigliano is located about 26km from Saturnia, it is another of the most beautiful villages in Italy and is also known as “The Little Jerusalem” because starting from the 15th century it welcomed a large Jewish community. The village is very rich in historic buildings and churches, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the Church of San Rocco, the Palazzo Orsini, the Medici Aqueduct and the Jewish Ghetto, where you can visit the premises of the Forno delle Azzime, the Kosher Butcher, of the Cellar, the Ritual Bath and the wonderful Synagogue, still in operation today.
25km from Saturnia, you reach Sovana, a delightful village of Etruscan-Roman origin, built with the name of Suana. Sovana is today one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Tuscany, its Piazza del Pretorio hosts the main historical buildings, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Palazzo dell’Archivio, the Palazzo del Pretorio and the Loggia del Capitano, while a few steps away is the imposing Cathedral complex, the Rocca Aldobrandesca, on the opposite side.
Events in Saturnia
The village of Saturnia hosts two traditional events every year which have now become fixed appointments for all the local people but also for the numerous visitors who choose Saturnia as their holiday destination.
In chronological order we begin with the Saturnia Festival, a review of classical music and more which takes place between the months of August and September in the beautiful setting of Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
Many evenings dedicated to music in its entirety, from classical to jazz.
Organized by the A. Ponchielli Philharmonic of Saturnia with the patronage of the Municipality of Manciano.
On the evening of December 31st the Focarazza is organised, a traditional bonfire in the main square of the town, to celebrate the start of a new year together! Lots of music, typical products and dishes and entertainment until late.
The history of Saturnia
Inhabited since the Neolithic, Saturnia is today considered one of the oldest cities in Italy. The presence of small human settlements and villages continued into the following Villanovan era.
In the Etruscan era Saturnia was placed under the control of the powerful Caletra and had an important strategic role thanks to its dominant position and proximity to the main trade routes with other Etruscan cities, the numerous necropolises – the oldest dates back to the VIII century BC – in the surroundings of the town demonstrate how Saturnia was a very important center in this period.
Saturnia then passed under the control of Vulci and ended with the fall of Vulci in 183 BC. by Roman hands, under the control of the Roman Empire. Precisely in Saturnia the triumvirs Labeo, Gracchus and Stellius founded the Sabatina colony.
In medieval times Saturnia was a possession of the Aldobrandeschi, under whom the city became a “Free Municipality”, in 1272 however, Saturnia managed to obtain independence. The Aldobrandeschi were followed by the Orsini, the Republic of Siena, and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.