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Overview
Mount Amiata is a majestic volcanic massif rising between the Maremma area of Grosseto and the Val d’Orcia, reaching 1,738 meters. In the warmer months, it attracts hikers and cyclists with its network of trails winding through beech and chestnut forests up to the summit, marked by the monumental cross, a charming Liberty-style structure reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower. From its base, a panoramic terrace offers breathtaking views of the rolling Tuscan hills.
In winter, Mount Amiata becomes a ski resort with 10 kilometers of alpine slopes, snowshoe trails, and tracks for Nordic skiing. Picturesque villages at the foot of the mountain seem frozen in time. On the southern side, Santa Fiora is an Orange Flag town recognized by the Italian Touring Club, featuring the delightful 16th-century Peschiera, a former trout hatchery now transformed into a water garden. Nearby, the glass floor of the Church of Madonna delle Nevi offers a glimpse of the Fiora stream below.
On the western side, the old town of Arcidosso spreads around the formidable Aldobrandeschi fortress, home to museums showcasing the medieval art and archaeology of Amiata. Abbadia San Salvatore charms visitors with cobbled streets, stone buildings, and the Romanesque Abbey of S. Salvatore.
At the Mining Museum Park, visitors discover the town’s history as a center for cinnabar mining and processing until the 1970s. Modern exhibits explore the geology, techniques, and social impact of mining in a once purely rural area. The highlight is a tour of the old underground quarry, revealing the extreme working conditions endured by miners.
Monte Amiata, 53021 Abbadia San Salvatore SI, Italia
