The Aia della Colonna farm stands 12 km from Saturnia and a couple of kilometres from the ancient hamlet of Usi, in the midst of the century-old, peaceful atmosphere of cypress trees rising along the first, high hills which then become the slopes of Mount Amiata. This is the Municipality of Roccalbegna, an interesting centre dating back to the Middle Ages where the River Albegna, the most important river in the Maremma area, begins its course. It takes about a 30 minute drive from here to reach the top of Mount Amiata and about 50 minutes to arrive at the sea, in the Argentario area.
At the Saturnia crossroad, about 1 km beyond the Spa, instead of climbing up into the village, follow the road on the right for about 2 km going towards Arcidosso-Semproniano, until you can take a left turn for Usi; follow the Usi road for about 8 km until you reach the Aia della Colonna farm on your left after a series of bends.
Where we are. Discover the Tuscan Maremma area.
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How to get to us
from NORTHERN ITALY, MILAN, BOLOGNA
Drive along the A1 Motorway, exit at Florence Certosa and take the Florence-Siena motorway junction; when you reach Siena, take the Clearway for Grosseto and exit at Roselle, following the road signs for Scansano. After reaching Scansano, follow the signs for Saturnia – Saturnia Spa and then go on towards Arcidosso – Semproniano for about 2 km; then, turn left at the crossroads for Usi and follow the road until you reach the Aia della Colonna, which you will find on your left, at about 8 km from the Usi crossroads.
from ROMA and SOUTHER ITALY
Leaving Rome, take the A12 motorway as far as Civitavecchia; then take the National Highway SS1 towards Grosseto, up until km. 111 (Hotel Vulci), and exit at Vulci-Manciano; after about 35 km. you will reach Manciano, after which follow the signs for Saturnia- Saturnia Spa and then go on towards Arcidosso- Semproniano for about 2 km; then, turn left at the crossroads for Usi and follow the road until you reach the Aia della Colonna, which you will find on your left, at about 8 km from the Usi crossroads.
from NORTH EASTERN ITALY
Leaving Cesena, take the E45 road, going towards Perugia; leave it at Todi and then follow the road to Orvieto and take the signs for Pitigliano, passing through San Lorenzo Nuovo; from Pitigliano, follow the signs for Saturnia – Saturnia Spa and then go on to Arcidosso - Semproniano, for about 2 km; then,turn left at the crossroads for Usi and follow the road until you reach the Aia della Colonna, which you will find on your left, at about 8 km from the Usi crossroads.
Our Tuscan Maremma
The Maremma area is a land of a thousand different aspects. Aia della Colonna is situated in a specially advantageous position for trips and excursions all around the area, of never more than an hour’s drive. You can enjoy totally different experiences ranging from Mount Amiata to the Argentario Coast, passing through ancient hamlets, vineyards, olive groves and areas of enormous historical-archeological interest. We have chosen for you three areas which can be fully enjoyed, starting from the Aia della Colonna farm:
SATURNIA SPA TOWN and THE THERMAL BATHS
Saturnia is a centre which is a point of reference for our farm due to its considerable tourist interest. This is mainly due to the well-known Saturnia Spa and its Thermal Baths (sulphurous waters at a temperature of 37.5°) from whose spring water flows at 800 litres per second, thus guaranteeing its constant purity and its therapeutic qualities, which were already exploited thousands of years ago by the Etruscans and Romans. The Spa was created in the 1930’s but it is only in the past ten years that it has become internationally famous, even so far as now exporting its mud-baths and waters to the U.S.A. Near the private Spa stands the public spa in the Cascate del Mulino [the Mill Waterfall], a real sulphurous waterfall which springs from its crossing with the thermal stream, commonly called the “"Gorello", arising from a spring situated in the centre of the Hotel’s swimming pool, in the River Stellata, thus creating a romantic waterfall several metres high which falls into natural, calcareous basins which continuously pour the water out into the underground river. At Saturnia, there is an 18-hole Golf Course, considered to be one of the most competitive in Tuscany and that attracts a huge number of golf enthusiasts.
ROCCALBEGNA and the MOUNT AMIATA
Roccalbegna is the nearest village to the Aia della Colonna farm. It is, in fact, a village entrenched on Mount Amiata’s slopes, dominated by the "Sasso" , an enormous mountain rock which hangs over the village and from which the River Albegna, the largest in the area, springs. It is a truly delightful hamlet with its medieval remains and the Romanesque Church of San Pietro (12th century).
The Amiata is the mountain which dominates the whole Maremma area, 1738 metres above sea level, divided between the provinces of Grosseto and Siena, and rich in historical fascination. With its excellent skiing facilities, it is perfect for a day’s skiing without having to go as far as the Alps; but it is also equally ideal in summer for long walks in the woods, looking for mushrooms and for peace and quiet. Amiata’s chief town is Arcidosso, a very practical centre and with a charming historical centre to visit. A few kilometres away lies Santa Fiora with its Peschiera [15th century Fishpond] and the River Fiora’s spring, the area’s main river. Casteldelpiano and Abbadia San Salvadore (on the Siena side) are also worth a visit. If you want to go on some lovely naturalistic excursions around Mount Amiata, we would advise you to visit the Pescinello Natural Reserve (near Roccalbegna), the WWF ‘Bosco dei Rocconi’ Oasis (near Semproniano) and Mount Amiata’s Fauna Park.
The TOWNS of TUFF
Sovana is undoubtedly this area’s prettiest village. It is a medieval and perfectly preserved hamlet with its roads, houses and churches dating back to the Middle Ages. It is a true delight to spend a day there, perhaps having lunch in one of its excellent restaurants and going shopping in its characteristic craftmen’s workshops, after having paid a visit to the fascinating Etruscan Necropolis. Ildebrando da Sovana who became Pope Gregory VII was born here and was one of the most important popes in Medieval History.
Pitigliano, Completely entrenched on a tuff spur, is very famous for its long history going back to medieval times when it was the Church State’s important city centre, after which it was the main town under the Orsini family. Amongst its romantic little lanes, carved out of tuff, you can find various craftmen’s workshops as well as the Synagogue in the centre of the Jewish Ghetto, which was a meeting place for the area’s Jewish community during the war.
Sorano is smaller than Pitigliano but nonetheless, no less fascinating, with its historical centre made of little lanes fitting one into the other, with its old shops and with its Fortezza Senese (Siena Fortress) which dominates the tuff rock on which the village stands.
