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Santa Fiora, the town of water
- Category What to visit in Maremma
At the foot of Mount Amiata, Santa Fiora is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy
Number of views: 25928Agriturismo - Where to stay overnight
Santa Fiora
They call it the "village of water"âan element that has always played a central role in the history of Santa Fiora, a charming Tuscan village in the heart of the Maremma Grossetana.
Located at the foot of the majestic Monte Amiata, the village is known for its authentic atmosphere and historical beauty. It has been awarded the Orange Flag by the Touring Club of Italy and is proudly listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.
The earliest historical records of the village date back to the year 833, bearing witness to a long and rich past. This legacy can still be admired today in the villageâs architecture: churches, chapels, convents, and the remains of its medieval walls narrate centuries of culture, faith, and rural life.
Santa Fiora developed around the springs of the Fiora River, which still flow today from the historic Peschiera. These waters gather in a large stone basin, once used as a watering hole and public washhouse, adorned with two sculpted dolphins and a tridentâone of the village's most iconic and photographed spots.
Water remains central to the local identity even in modern times, thanks to the Bagnore 3 geothermal power plant. This striking piece of contemporary architecture blends harmoniously into the landscape and stands as a symbol of innovation and sustainability.
Situated on the southern slope of Monte Amiata, the historic center of Santa Fiora sits atop a hill and is divided into three districts: Castello, Borgo, and Montecatino, which gently slope down toward the springs.
The Castello district is the oldest part of the village. Its original medieval square is framed by the remains of the ancient fortifications: a tower, sloping stone foundations, a clock turret, and the Sforza Cesarini Palace from the 16th century, now the town hall.
Through the medieval âPorticciolaâ gate, you enter the Borgo district, which offers breathtaking views over the Fiora Valley, Monte Calvo, and Monte Labro, a mystical mountain tied to the legacy of David Lazzaretti.
Passing through the San Michele gate, you reach the Montecatino districtâthe newest part of the old town. Thanks to abundant water sources, this area once thrived with small industries and mills. The star of the district is the Peschiera, a peaceful reflective basin that alone makes the trip worthwhile.
From the village, many excursions can be enjoyed on foot, by mountain bike, on horseback, or with an E-bike. Trails pass through ancient beech forestsâlike that of the Monte Amiata, the largest in Europeâor lead from the Bagnore 4 geothermal plant (the most modern in the world) to the spectacular Galleria delle Sorgenti del Fiora.
Santa Fiora (video)
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