Close to the source of the Orcia and geographically indicated in the Val di Chiana Senese, San Casciano dei Bagni is a renowned thermal village surrounded by sources of sulphurous water with healing properties. The first to exploit them were the Etruscans, followed by the Romans and their baths of which some basins are still in operation! This tradition continues into the Middle Ages and even beyond.
Italian nobility often frequented San Casciano, building beautiful palaces decorated with sculptures. In 1607, the Grand Duke Ferdinand I had a portico built at the spring of the Ficoncella spring.
Visit the village
The village is charming, preserves the Collegiate Church of San Leonardo, rebuilt over the centuries several times, as well as the oratory Sant’Antonio, the early Christian church Chiesa di Santa Maria ad Balnea outside the village built on the ruins of a pagan temple, and the church of San Michele Arcangelo a few kilometers.
The Tower of Celle sul Rigo, which dominates Casciano, was part of the castle. The portico of the Ficoncella was built in 1607 by the Grand Duke Ferdinand I de’ Medici, now decorating a thermal centre.
The Archdiocese Palace was built in 1552 by Giulio Parracciani, with large and elegant interior spaces, including vast cellars.
The Pretorio Palace or Turrito Castle is a villa built in 1911.
Free thermal baths of San Casciano
At the foot of the village hill, there are three basins with Roman origin, free stone baths, near a covered wash house.
The village has recently seen an extraordinary discovery of bronze Etruscan statues in the Santuario Ritrovato (Sanctuary rediscovered in English).
The Rediscovered Sanctuary
At the site of the thermal springs near Casciano, a precious treasure was recently discovered in the complex of the Roman era, formerly an Etruscan building with a quadrangular shape and a large travertine basin in the centre.
The building was said to have been decommissioned by Christians in the early 5th century AD, with the basins concealed behind stone columns with their ancient divinities. Thus were found 24 Etruscan bronze statues, five of them more than one meter high in perfect condition that are a real treasure.
These unique finds will soon be exhibited in a future museum in the center of San Casciano dei Bagni, accompanied by an archaeological park.
Fonteverde Thermal Centre
Fonteverde (Fonteverde Lifestyle & Thermal Retreat) is an elegant spa and 5-star resort near San Casciano dei Bagni.
The luxury hotel has a large spa. Thermal pools are powered by natural mineral therapeutic springs that flow at 42°C.
Gallery
Where is San Casciano, map
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Proposals for visits
Links and sources
- General informations: en.wikipedia.org
- Tourist portals: www.visittuscany.com
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