San Filippo’s free spas

Wilderness, misterious and free!

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If you have read the article about the Saturnia’s hot springs, most probably you’ll be interested in another corner of paradise always located in Tuscany, non far from Pienza.

On the slopes of Mount Amianta, in an unknown place, you can enjoy the view and relax offered  by the free spas of San Filippo.

This landscape so wild and unreal, is characterized by the presentation of these spas with free access: it’s a real little river, passable for a  path, interrupted by more of less large pools where you can immerse yourself.
Once you reach the river, you will find the first pools still not very warm and shallow. Carrying in the path, the cold water of the river meets the hot water of the Thermal springs. You will understand immediatly at what heigh the meeting takes piace beacause the thermal water gives to the river a heavenly color, wich matches the green of the surrounding forest.

About half way you will find a large formation of calcium and limestone from the particular form, called “ White Whale” beacause it looks like the mouth of a whale . At the top gushes the thermal water at the temperature of 48°C . This limestone wall it’s very often climbed by visitors! In fact this structure is so fascinating, but also steep, very slippery and for this dangerous!
In the middle of a relaxing bath I witnessed a scary accident wich involved a young girl, who encouraged by her friends, wanted to reach the top of the waterfall. Unfortunately she has slipped, banging against the wall several times, wich is sharphened by the water. The girl has fainted during the fall and she reported fractures to both legs in addition to a series of scratches on the body. As i said, the area is very dangerous and the intervention of the doctors required the arrival of the helicopter (Pegaso). All this to reccomend you maximum prudence!

I advise you not to stop at the first large pool situated under the White Whale, but to continue along the river, where you can find other pools, more or less large, with natural landscapes even more suggestive. The water will be less hot, but you’ll cut out a private corner away from other tourists. If you will dig on the bottom, you will find a rich layer of thermal mud. With this you will be able to strew your body and face, enjoying a natural and free beauty treatment. 

So if you are in Tuscany and you are looking for free spas, where you can spend a relaxing day (without accident) you can opt fort two solutions: Saturnia’s free spas and those of San Filippo.
The waterfalls of the mill are presented as favors, are elegant, refined, majestic and almost unreal, while the San Filippo’s spas develop by length, re wilder and more reserved.
How to choose?
Cannot be done.
It would be like going to Tuscany and choose if you want to sip a glass of Chianti or eat a Florentine steak: impossible!
They deserve to be seen both.

Here there are the coordinates to get to San Filippo’s free spas:
42°55′48″N 11°42′05″E

COPY AND PASTE ON GOOGLE MAPS!

Giulia

Translated by
Benedetta Carlà