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Posta Marcucci

Going mining

Monte Amiata is an extinct volcano which was sacred to the Etruscans and is to be found between Val d’Orcia and the Maremma. Its particular profile is visible from hundreds of kilometres away. It is mountain rich in history, of fascinating detail … and of mercury! The invitation is to take a trip and discover the fascinating happenings, some still of a mystery, and its mercury and minerals. All is revealed by the mines along its foothills, mines no longer operational but having been revalued and open to visit. We recommend two in particular: the Abbadia San Salvatore mine and its museum -its galleries may be visited from 15 June to 1 November and on public holiday days too (from 9.30 to 12.30, and from 15.30 to 18.30); the Cornacchino mine at Castell’Azzara which penetrates the mountain with a series of narrow corridors having a rich and mysterious fascination. ‘Going mining’ is a way to discover the lives of villages and their inhabitants, who from this metal attained their wealth and advancement, but also suffered many dramas and sacrifices. All relevant information you can find on the web pages of the Parco Nazionale Museo delle Miniere dell’Amiata.

www.parcoamiata.com

Bagno Vignoni – Abbadia San Salvatore 27 kilometres

Bagno Vignoni – Castell’Azzara 44 kilometres

Places

Collegiata San Quirico

Fortunate are the pilgrims Along the way of via Francigena able to find cover among these sculptured rocks of a comforting grace.

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Water

Bagni di San Filippo

Travelling towards Castiglione d’Orcia, one comes across calcareous deposits which seem like sculptures having come from the deep, a fascinating work indeed of Mother Nature.

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Along the way

The valley of cypresses

There is not only Bolgheri. There are not only the cypresses of San Quirico d'Orcia, splendid as they are on the hill. The cypresses are dotted here, there, and everywhere and they are the very embodiment of this landscape.

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