Bagno Vignoni Roman thermal baths in southern Tuscany

Bagno Vignoni (sometimes Bagni Vignoni) is famous for its thermal baths. It was popular with the Romans (and probably the Etruscans) and rose to prominence again during the middle ages because of the proximity of the Via Francigena, the north-south pilgrimage route through the Italian peninsula. The ancient square pool at the centre of Bagno Vignoni is no longer in public use, but the scene is extremely attractive, with old stone buildings surrounding the pool on all sides. Today, the modern thermal baths are operated by the municipality of San Quirico d’Orcia and offer a wide range of therapies, including mud baths, for arthritis and rheumatism.

Bagno Vignoni first became a spa in the Middle Ages and in spite of the many wars and devastation which took place in the Val d’Orcia the appearance of the village has remained almost unchanged to the present day. Bagni Vignoni has such allure that it definitely merits a visit. The village lies in the municipality San Quirico d’Orcia, in the province of Sienna and is built around the great pool which constituted the spa. Here the centre of the village is a pool rather than a square, and this makes the place truly unique. Today it is no longer possible to use this pool – the modern baths are a few hundred metres from the old village centre. It was highly renowned and was frequently visited by illustrious personages such as St. Catherine, Pius II Piccolomini and Lorenzo the Magnificent who stayed here in 1490. In the 16 C, a Sienese scholar, Lattanzio Tolomei, dedicated verses in Greek to the Nymphs. These were inscribed on a stone which can still be seen on one of the pillars of St.Catherine’s loggia. The Russian film director Tarkovsky, of “Solaris” fame, shot some scenes for his film “Nostalgia” in Bagno Vignoni.

From Greve in Chianti 93 km – circa 1 hour 40 min
From Firenze 130 Km – circa 1 hour 40 min

Worth a visit. More about Bagno Vignoni.

More about the thermal springs of Tuscany.