A few weeks ago I watched a programme on the BBC about a group of celebs who followed the ancient pilgrimage route from the Italian Alpes to Rome using the centuries old Via Francigena route to get there. One of their many stops was an Italian spa town in Tuscany called Bagno Vignoni. The TV programme brought back memories of several visits I've made there in recent years and I just had to tell of it here in my Italian blog.
Bagno Vignoni and its neighbouring hamlet San Quirico d'Orcia, is situated up on a hill above the famous Val d'Orcia - in my book one of the most beautiful and memorable parts of Tuscany. The little spa town of Bagno Vignoni has been a stopping place for pilgrims for centuries but even before that it was frequented by Roman visitors who were well versed with its geothermal springs associated with rejuvenating benefits to health and well-being.
My last visit to Bagno Vignoni was in Spring 2018 and on a superbly sunny day we parked in the car park beneath the village. It was a five minute walk up to the square and on the way it was possible to view the water channels which make their way down from the village over open ground before they flow over a steep precipice which conducts the waters to the valley below. It's quite dramatic really, but what's even more fascinating is the opportunity there is to take off one's shoes and socks, sit beside one of the channels and bathe one's feet in the warm flowing waters! Aaaaah - I can remember and savour the moment now!
After this brief moment of bliss we donned said shoes and socks and carried on up the path to the village. In the centre of the village is the "square of sources" which essentially is a walled water tank of 16th century origin which contains a bath of the waters that spring up from the heated volcanic reservoirs below. It's a beautiful and alluring spot and its mesmerising to stand and watch the ripples and bubbles form which reveal the continuous spring activity feeding the pool! The bathing pool has an official title of The Old Baths of St Catherine (Antiche Terme di Santa Caterina).
These days bathing in the pool is not allowed for obvious reasons but over the centuries, since Etruscan and Roman times, many famous people have come here to take the waters. Eminent personalities such as Pope Pius II. Saint Catherine of Siena and Lorenzo the Magnificent Medici have all travelled here to partake. Despite tumult and devastation in the region due to wars and other such events - this place has remained virtually unchanged and its very special.
Visit the town and there are a few cafes, restaurants and hostelries to provide succour and I think there's a hotel offering contemporary spa treatments at a hefty price no doubt, but I didn't visit there. If challenged though - I would have to say this is one of my favourite spots in the whole of Italy and hope it's not long before I make a trip to the village again!!
Ciao
Ian
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| THE GORGEOUS COUNTRYSIDE OF THE VAL D'ORCIA, TUSCANY - THE SETTING OF BAGNO VIGNONI |
Bagno Vignoni and its neighbouring hamlet San Quirico d'Orcia, is situated up on a hill above the famous Val d'Orcia - in my book one of the most beautiful and memorable parts of Tuscany. The little spa town of Bagno Vignoni has been a stopping place for pilgrims for centuries but even before that it was frequented by Roman visitors who were well versed with its geothermal springs associated with rejuvenating benefits to health and well-being.
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| HOT SPRING WATER DRAINS FROM THE BAGNO VIGNONI CISTERN TO THE VALLEY BELOW - IT'S HERE THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN BATHE THEIR FEET IN THE RESTORATIVE WATERS |
My last visit to Bagno Vignoni was in Spring 2018 and on a superbly sunny day we parked in the car park beneath the village. It was a five minute walk up to the square and on the way it was possible to view the water channels which make their way down from the village over open ground before they flow over a steep precipice which conducts the waters to the valley below. It's quite dramatic really, but what's even more fascinating is the opportunity there is to take off one's shoes and socks, sit beside one of the channels and bathe one's feet in the warm flowing waters! Aaaaah - I can remember and savour the moment now!
After this brief moment of bliss we donned said shoes and socks and carried on up the path to the village. In the centre of the village is the "square of sources" which essentially is a walled water tank of 16th century origin which contains a bath of the waters that spring up from the heated volcanic reservoirs below. It's a beautiful and alluring spot and its mesmerising to stand and watch the ripples and bubbles form which reveal the continuous spring activity feeding the pool! The bathing pool has an official title of The Old Baths of St Catherine (Antiche Terme di Santa Caterina).
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| THE OLD BATHS OF ST CATHERINE OF SIENA IN THE CENTRE OF BAGNO VIGNONI |
These days bathing in the pool is not allowed for obvious reasons but over the centuries, since Etruscan and Roman times, many famous people have come here to take the waters. Eminent personalities such as Pope Pius II. Saint Catherine of Siena and Lorenzo the Magnificent Medici have all travelled here to partake. Despite tumult and devastation in the region due to wars and other such events - this place has remained virtually unchanged and its very special.
 |
| BUBBLES AND RIPPLES ON THE SURFACE OF THE BATH ARE TESTAMENT TO THE CONTINUOUS GEOTHERMAL ACTIVITY THAT CONTINUALLY REPLENISHES THE BATH 24/7 |
Visit the town and there are a few cafes, restaurants and hostelries to provide succour and I think there's a hotel offering contemporary spa treatments at a hefty price no doubt, but I didn't visit there. If challenged though - I would have to say this is one of my favourite spots in the whole of Italy and hope it's not long before I make a trip to the village again!!
Ciao
Ian
If you have found this post interesting please share the details with anyone you think might be interested or even consider becoming a follower. Thanks. Ian
